Analysis of the origin and importance of acetone and isopropanol levels in the blood of the deceased for medico-legal testimony

Borowska-Solonynko, Aleksandra; Siwińska-Ziółkowska, Agnieszka; Piotrkowicz, Michał; Wysmołek, Marta; Demkow, Marta

doi:10.5114/amsik.2014.50528

Cited by 3 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…It can be absorbed rapidly through the gastrointestinal tract when ingested and can also be absorbed by inhalation, rectal exposure, or dermal exposure 2 . It is predominately metabolized in the liver and is broken down into acetone by alcohol dehydrogenase 5 . It is excreted through the kidneys and lungs 2 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Impact of Donor Preparation for Tissue Procurement on Postmortem Vitreous Isopropanol Concentration

Avedschmidt

Melton

Turner

et al. 2023

Am J Forensic Med Pathol

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Volatile chemicals can be relevant in the determination of the cause and manner of death by forensic pathologists. Isopropanol is a secondary alcohol that is occasionally seen on postmortem toxicology testing. A series of 11 forensic autopsy cases was previously reported in which the presence of isopropanol in the vitreous humor was suspected to be due to postmortem contamination from the body preparation process for tissue procurement.In collaboration with a tissue procurement agency, donor vitreous humor was collected from one eye before body preparation for procurement and from the other eye postpreparation. The specimens underwent testing for volatile substances by headspace gas chromatography.Of the 50 cases, 8 (16%) showed statistically significant changes in the prepreparation and postpreparation isopropanol concentrations. Postpreparation isopropanol concentrations ranged from 5 to 104 mg/dL (median, 18 mg/dL). Seven of the 8 cases had undetectable prepreparation isopropanol, whereas the remaining case had a detectable prepreparation isopropanol.In conclusion, surface contamination of the decedent's body with chemicals used in body preparation can lead to the passive absorption into the body, resulting in the presence of isopropanol in postmortem toxicology samples. Forensic pathologists need to be aware of this when interpreting postmortem samples after tissue procurement.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2 It is predominately metabolized in the liver and is broken down into acetone by alcohol dehydrogenase. 5 It is excreted through the kidneys and lungs. 2 The effects of isopropanol toxicity include gastritis, pulmonary edema, vasodilation, and central nervous system depression.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Donor Preparation for Tissue Procurement on Postmortem Vitreous Isopropanol Concentration

Avedschmidt

Melton

Turner

et al. 2023

Am J Forensic Med Pathol

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“…Cases of poisoning with non-consumable alcohol are rare in Poland, but it can be detected during forensic ethanol analyses [1,2]. Autopsy reports, containing gas chromatography (GC) results of routine ethyl alcohol tests, sometimes state the presence of acetone and its minor metabolite isopropanol [3,4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A high isopropanol/ acetone ratio in the tested samples strongly indicates the exogenous origin of isopropanol, particularly when it is accompanied by high levels of ethanol [12]. In such cases, the victim most likely ingested isopropanol by drinking alcohol of dubious origin [1]. Isopropanol (2-propanol; rubbing alcohol), besides being a component of various household solutions, such as antifreeze or window cleaner [13,14], is also commonly used as antiseptic and disinfectant agent [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concentrations of volatile substances in costal cartilage in relation to blood and urine – preliminary studies

Tomsia¹,

Nowicka²,

Skowronek³

et al. 2021

amsik

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Aim:The study aimed to examine whether volatile substances (ethanol, isopropanol, and acetone) can be detected in costal cartilage and also if concentrations of detected substances reliably reflect their concentrations in the peripheral blood -the standard forensic material for toxicological analyses. Such knowledge can be useful in cases when a cadaver's blood is unavailable or contaminated. Material and methods: Ethanol, isopropanol, and acetone concentrations were determined in samples of unground costal cartilage (UCC), ground costal cartilage (GCC), femoral venous blood, and urine. The samples were analysed by gas chromatography (GC) with a flame ionization detector using headspace analysis. Results: Volatile substances were detected in 12 out of 100 analysed samples. There was a strong positive correlation between ethanol concentration in the blood and urine (r = 0.899, p < 0.001), UCC (r = 0.809, p < 0.01), and GCC (r = 0.749, p < 0.01). A similar strong correlation was found for isopropanol concentration in the blood and urine (r = 0.979, p < 0.001), UCC (r = 0.866, p < 0.001), and GCC (r = 0.942, p < 0.001). Acetone concentration in the blood strongly correlated only with its concentration in urine (r = 0.960, p < 0.001). Conclusions: We demonstrated for the first time the possibility of detecting volatile substances: ethanol, isopropanol and acetone in a human costal cartilage. Also, the study showed that higher volatiles concentrations were better determined in ground samples.

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“…The excessive use of ethanol results in withdrawal symptoms sometimes complicated with delirium state and amnesic syndrome; ethanol can also trigger psychotic disorders manifestations [10]. In such complicated cases the coexistence of ethanol with isopropanol and acetone in blood test results can shed some light on unclear cause of exacerbated status of the patient [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic Medicine Relevant Trends in Hospital Admissions Because of Mental and Behavioral Disorders Due to Use of Alcohol (F10 ICD-10) in the Lower Silesia Region of Poland in the Years 2006-2012

Drobnik¹,

Odonicz-Czarnecki²,

Susło³

2016

ARC Journal of Forensic Science

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Alcohol use leads not only to physical health status deterioration but most often to many forms of mental and behavioral disorders. Data on causes of hospital admissions because of mental and behavioral disorders due to use of alcohol in the years 2006-2012, made available due to courtesy of the public healthcare insurance provider Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia in Lower Silesia region of Poland (NFZ), were analyzed to find out the current incidence and trends in the most common and important mental and behavioral disorders secondary to alcohol use. The study proved that in the Lower Silesia region of Poland's population in the years 2006-2012 there was observed rapid progression of indicators for high risk patterns of alcohol consumptionthere was rapid increase in yearly hospital admissions amount due to mental and behavioral disorders due to use of alcohol, because of alcohol acute intoxication, alcohol harmful use and alcohol dependence syndrome. As the increase in high risk patterns of alcohol consumption is known to be leading to many negative effects both in the health and functioning of the society, the worsening situation in the Lower Silesia region of Poland calls for urgent public health and legal action. The forensic medicine specialists have to be aware of the currently prevailing trends in alcohols use in the region to support courts and law enforcement agencies with prompt and proper opinions.

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Analysis of the origin and importance of acetone and isopropanol levels in the blood of the deceased for medico-legal testimony

Cited by 3 publications

References 10 publications

The Impact of Donor Preparation for Tissue Procurement on Postmortem Vitreous Isopropanol Concentration

The Impact of Donor Preparation for Tissue Procurement on Postmortem Vitreous Isopropanol Concentration

Concentrations of volatile substances in costal cartilage in relation to blood and urine – preliminary studies

Forensic Medicine Relevant Trends in Hospital Admissions Because of Mental and Behavioral Disorders Due to Use of Alcohol (F10 ICD-10) in the Lower Silesia Region of Poland in the Years 2006-2012

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