Benedict Blythe

1. 1. inadequate post-mortem sample collection for suspected anaphylaxis

   “collected during a post-mortem examination, should be revised to include the following in cases of suspected anaphylaxis: a. blood samples for mast cell tryptase and sp IgE serology 2 suspected allergens b. stomach contents to be immediately stored (and/or frozen) by the pathologist for the analysis of the presence of the triggering allergen c. blood samples if taken at hospital should not be destroyed but retained for testing d. that an early blood sample is taken after death and stored for later analysis e. that the possibility that the death is due to anaphylaxis is raised with the senior coroner for the area where the death occurred at the earliest opportunity f. tissue samples are taken and retained. g. Consideration given to the development of a standard protocol to ensure appropriate samples are taken at the correct time to assist later investigation”

2. 2. failure to seize and retain vomitus and other evidence at scene

   “In the circumstances where there is an unexplained death of a child or the person and where that are data samples and evidence available at the scene including by way of example vomitus, that the police should include as part of their investigation, the seizure and retention of any such material for the purposes of later investigation either by the Police the Pathologist or the Coroner.”

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