Assessment of postmortem blood alcohol concentrations by ethanol levels measured in fluids from putrefactive blisters

Forensic Science International : Synergy
W Grellner, R Iffland

Abstract

It was the aim of the present study to investigate whether the postmortem blood alcohol concentration (BAC) can be assessed by means of ethanol values measured in fluids from putrefactive blisters. Fluids from one or two putrefactive blisters were collected in 45 putrefied corpses (postmortem interval: 3-23 days, graduation of the degree of decomposition into four stages) and compared with femoral vein blood or femoral muscle. Ethanol and so-called putrefactive alcohols were determined in all samples by double GC-measurements. The results were converted to the medium water content of blood of 80%. The investigations revealed a significant correlation between the ethanol values of femoral blood/muscle and putrefactive blister fluid (PBF) (r = 0.725, P < 0.001). With the exception of one case, PBF values of 0.11% or more (n = 11) corresponded to minimum blood/muscle concentrations of 0.085%; PBF values of more than 0.15% (n = 8) corresponded to blood/muscle levels of at least 0.159%. Regression analysis revealed the formula BAC (in %) = 0.785 X ethanol (PBF) +0.011. Relevant concentrations of putrefactive alcohols such as 1- and 2-propanol and l-butanol only occurred in cases with far advanced decomposition. Ethanol levels determ...Continue Reading

Citations

Jul 23, 2005·International Journal of Toxicology·Kallirroe ZiavrouTheodore G Vougiouklakis
Oct 3, 2013·Journal of Analytical Toxicology·Isabel CostaRicardo Jorge Dinis-Oliveira
Apr 14, 2010·Journal of Forensic Sciences·D Kimberley Molina
Jun 20, 2006·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Fredrik C Kugelberg, Alan Wayne Jones
Jun 3, 2004·Forensic Science International : Synergy·G Skopp
Jun 29, 1999·Analytical Chemistry·T A BrettellR Saferstein

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