Frequency of postmortem ethanol formation in blood, urine and vitreous humor - Improving diagnostic accuracy with the use of ethylsulphate and putrefactive alcohols.
Forensic Sci Int
; 331: 111152, 2022 Feb.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34952291
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
This study aimed to compare the frequency of postmortem ethanol formation in blood, urine and vitreous humor according to negative ethylsulphate (EtS) in blood or positive putrefactive alcohols (PA's) in either medium. Furthermore, it aimed to evaluate the interpretational value of calculated ethanol ratios in relation to EtS and PA results.METHODS:
Blood ethanol positive forensic cases were included; one dataset consisting of 2504 cases with EtS analysed in blood and another dataset with 8001 cases where PA's were analysed.RESULTS:
PA's were found in 24.4% of cases. EtS was negative in 15.3%, 9.4% and 7.4% of cases that were positive for ethanol in blood, urine and vitreous humor, respectively. In EtS negative cases, the concentrations of ethanol in blood, urine and vitreous humor were lower than 0.20 g/kg in 51.3%, 67.4% and 77.8%, respectively. It was 1.0 g/kg or higher in blood in 4.2% of cases. More EtS negative and PA positive cases were seen in central compared to peripheral blood. Ethanol ratios between urine or vitreous humor and blood were significantly lower in both EtS negative and PA positive cases, but large variations were observed.CONCLUSION:
EtS and PA analysis improve the diagnostic accuracy of ethanol in postmortem cases. Postmortem ethanol formation in vitreous humor and urine were both more frequent than expected and we recommend the analysis of ethanol primarily in peripheral blood if available.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Cuerpo Vítreo
/
Líquidos Corporales
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Forensic Sci Int
Año:
2022
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Noruega