Detection of thiocyanate in postmortem blood of a fatal potassium thiocyanate-poisoning patient using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Abstract

Abstract Thiocyanate is an inorganic compound used in industrial applications. Here, we report a case of suicidal death due to acute thiocyanate overdose. A 44-year-old man who consumed an unknown amount of thiocyanate solution was transferred to the emergency room and died 2 h after admission. An autopsy was performed 2 days after death. General toxicological analysis of blood using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry found no drug or alcohol. Quantification using GC–MS post-derivatization with pentafluorobenzyl bromide revealed 2,290 and 1,920 mg/L of thiocyanate in the heart and femoral blood samples, respectively. Thus, the cause of death was attributed to thiocyanate overdose. This study provides useful information for the interpretation of thiocyanate-related fatalities.