ABSTRACT

Inhalant substances (sometimes called "volatile substances") are widely available and frequently misused, especially by adolescents. Abuse of inhalants is a world-wide problem crossing cultural and geographic borders. It has been observed that inhalant abuse becomes more prevalent in Turkey. Cheapness, easy and legal (supermarkets, drug reservoirs, stationery, commercial buildings) procurement of the products including volatile substances and rapid effect, fast disappearance of unwanted findings makes these substances easier to use in children and adolescents.

Here we present autopsy findings and death scene investigation of a sudden death case of a seventeen-year-old male due to inhalation of volatile from butane containing lighter gas tube.

In this study, it is intended to emphasize the role and significance of forensic autopsy on the determination of death cases as well as the increasing prevalence of inhalant abuse in adolescent and young adult age groups.

Keywords: Lighter Fluid, Butane, Volatile Substance, Adolescent, Forensic Medicine, Autopsy