Fernando, T.Gilbert, J.Carroll, C.Byard, R.2012-10-082012-10-082012Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2012; 57(4):1137-11390022-11981556-4029http://hdl.handle.net/2440/73430Deaths due to the ring-derivative amphetamines are not common and are usually accidental involving dehydration and hyperthermia. Suicides from 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and related ring-derivative amphetamines overdose are rare. A 15-year-old female who had a history of depression and previous suicide attempts was found dead with a suicide note. Toxicology demonstrated lethal serum concentrations of MDMA (9.3 mg/L), with 34 mg/kg of MDMA in the liver, 2.4 mg/L in the urine, and 530 mg/kg in the stomach. The cause of death was MDMA toxicity, the manner suicide. While MDMA may be detected in victims in other drug-related or traumatic deaths, it is only rarely used in isolation in suicide, with a predominance in the 21- to 25-year-old range. Despite the rarity of such events, the possibility of a nonaccidental manner of death should be considered when high levels of MDMA and associated amphetamines are found at autopsy.en© 2012 American Academy of Forensic Sciencesforensic scienceecstasyMDMAdeathsuicidehyperthermiaJournal article002012056610.1111/j.1556-4029.2012.02107.x0003058967000472-s2.0-8486349678323936Byard, R. [0000-0002-0524-5942]