Drug-related deaths with evidences of body packing: Two case reports and medico-legal issues

• Two cases of body packers has been presented.
• Different packaging techniques, among the two cases, has been identified.
• The main medico-legal issues related to body packing has been described.

Body packing is a general term used to indicate the internal transportation of drug packages, mainly cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, and methamphetamine, within the gastrointestinal tract. We described two cases of accidental drug intoxication, observed over the last year period, with evidence of intracorporeal drug concealment. The first case concerned a body packer transporting 69 drug packages of heroin adulterated with piracetam. The second body packer transported 16 drug packages of cocaine adulterated with levamisole. For both cases, forensic examination and toxicological analysis of drug packages and biological samples were carried out. Authors also wants to highlight the main medico-legal issues that commonly arise in cases of suspected or ascertained body packers.

Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (117 K)Download as PowerPoint slide