Anatomic Pathology: Forensic Pathology

• Ethanol may be produced by bacteria in the body after death, which results in spurious ethanol concentrations (up to 0.2 g/dL). By testing the vitreous fluid (a relatively sequestered site), one can differentiate postmortem production from ingestion before death. If ethanol is not detected in the vitreous fluid but the blood has a concentration of 0.09 g/dL, the blood ethanol is consistent with postmortem production. One would expect to find ethanol in the vitreous fluid if the blood concentration was due to ingestion before death.

Adelson L: Pathology of Homicide. Springfield, StateIL: Charles C Thomas, 1974, pp 883-918.

Lefkowitch JH, Fenoglio JJ Jr: Liver disease in alcoholic cardiomyopathy: evidence against cirrhosis. Hum Pathol 1983;14(5):457-463.

 
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