James Michael Lacey · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 16 June 2020 I commenced an investigation into the death of James Michael Lacey, otherwise known and living as Victoria Lacey aged 21 years of age. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 24 November 2021. The conclusion of the inquest was suicide.

James/Victoria Lacey who was living both the male and female existence, purchased ████████ of ████████ on 19 May 2020 from ████████ is a meat preservative but may be also used for suicide as it prevents oxygenation of the blood. ████████ may be sold in much lower concentrations or purity. The evidence of Dr ████████, forensic toxicologist, was that this was a rapidly increasing method of suicide as the compound was readily available, it was quick and easy to administer, is effective and painless and from other evidence once administered, very difficult to reverse. On 13 June 2020 Victoria Lacey took ████████, a dose more than sufficient to cause fatality, together with other preparations advised by certain sites on the Internet and ended her life. A detective inspector from Lancashire Constabulary confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances.

(1) relatively small quantities of ████████ can easily be purchased.
(2) a ████████ is currently a “reportable substance” or “reportable poison” under Part 4 of Schedule 1 to the Poisons Act 1972. As a result, under certain circumstances, sellers are under an obligation to report suspicious transactions, disappearances, and thefts of the substance, in a manner prescribed by the Secretary of State (s.3C Poisons Act 1972).
a. However, this is a much less rigorous degree of control than is exercised over “regulated poisons” under the terms of the legislation. Those substances, which are listed in Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the Act, are subject to requirements including licensing, record-keeping of sales, and other restrictions in relation to the general public.
c. Both the regulated poisons and reportable poison lists can specify “concentration limits” which restrict the obligations imposed by the legislation to chemicals in concentrations at or above that limit. For example, ammonia is “reportable” in concentrations at or above 10% weight in weight (w/w) and phenols are “regulated” at or above 60% w/w. The power to specify a concentration can ensure that low concentrations of substances are not subject to the regime but higher (and therefore more dangerous levels) are subject to scrutiny.