Suicídio por intoxicação com nitrito de sódio no Distrito Federal, Brasil (2020-2021)

Abstract

Sodium nitrite (NaNO2) is a salt used in small amounts as a food additive, acting as a color fixative and food preservative. However, when ingested in large quantities, it produces intoxication by raising methemoglobin, with consequent hypoxia, which can lead to death. The present work describes the four cases of sodium nitrite ingestion with fatal outcome, which occurred between 2020 and 2021, in the Federal District, Brazil. These case reports are relevant to alert forensic experts about the importance of recognizing and interpreting these evidences during forensic examination.

Keywords

sodium nitrite
suicide
crime scene
methemoglobinemia
nitrito de sódio
cena de crime
metemoglobinemia
Suicídio.

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