1. Case Studies
Chapter 9

2. Jane Toppan
1901
kicked out of nursing school b/c too many patients died
forged a nursing certificate - became a private-duty nurse in Mass.
competent nurse
then, several members of a Cape Cod family died - suspicious

3. autopsies confirmed all were poisoned
arrested; confessed at trial - poisoned patients with morphine and atropine
morphine makes pupils a pin-point; atropine dilates pupils
enjoyed watching people die
life sentence; died after 36 years at Criminally Insane Asylum

4. Elvis Presley Aug. 16, 1977 died in bathroom at 42
no known medical issues
ME said cardiovascular disease - wouldn't release autopsy results
hospital pathologist said COD - combined drug effect

5. drugs in system depressed central nervous system, heart, lungs
accidental death, but lack of communication of doctors leading factor in death
no evidence of cardiovascular disease

6. Kathy Augustine
Aug. 8, 2006
Nevada politician, found not breathing in home by husband, Chaz Higgs
Higgs, a nurse, tried CPR
at hospital, never regained consciousness, died 3 days later of apparent heart attack
autopsy - no evidence to support this
unexplained marks on left hip - injection

7. possible homicide
in Higgs' house found succinylcholine = muscle relaxant that paralyzes muscles for breathing --> suffocation
Higgs convicted of murder

8. Career
Forensic Toxicologist