Felicity Barnes^1
1Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine

Since the first documented insulin murder in 1957, insulin overdose has been reported in homicides, suicides and accidental deaths¹. Given the non-specific autopsy findings associated with insulin overdose, toxicology has the potential to play a significant role in the investigation of such cases. The analysis and interpretation of insulin and C-peptide levels in the forensic post-mortem setting is fraught with difficulties². In this study, a retrospective analysis will be performed of all closed Victorian Coronial cases between 2012 and 2022 where insulin and C-peptide testing was completed. This investigation aims to determine the utility, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of post-mortem insulin and C-peptide testing at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine.

References:

1. Marks V, Richmond C (2008) Kenneth Barlow: the first documented case of murder by insulin. J R Soc Med. 101(1), 19-21

2. Manetti, AC, Visi, G, Spina, F, De Matteis, A, Del Duca, F, Turillazzi, E, & Maiese, A (2022). Insulin and Oral Hypoglycemic Drug Overdose in Post-Mortem Investigations: A Literature Review. Biomedicines, 10(11), 2823