Dr Shipman, murder and forensic toxicology

Harold Shipman murdered in excess of 215 of his patients during his practising life. He never admitted guilt, and committed suicide in prison. His murder conviction was largely made on the basis of morphine being detected in samples of muscle obtained from exhumed bodies. Following his conviction, a wide ranging judicial inquiry was conducted by Dame Janet Smith which made numerous recommendations into many areas of medical, pharmaceutical and coronial practice. The index case in the Shipman saga resulted from his forging the will of his last victim. If he had not done this it is unlikely that his crimes would have ever been discovered.