Citation

Wigmore JG. J. Can. Soc. Forensic Sci. 2006; 39(1): 25-27.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Canadian Society of Forensic Science, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00085030.2006.10757134

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

An unusual postmortem urine-blood alcohol concentration ratio was determined in a victim of multiple stabbings. The femoral blood alcohol concentration was 280 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood and the urine alcohol concentration was 60 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine, resulting in an apparent urine-blood alcohol ratio of 0.21:1, which was not consistent with the reported drinking history of heavy alcohol consumption throughout the day. The victim had received emergency medical treatment just before death, including the use of a Foley catheter to drain the bladder and monitor urinary output. The catheter had been flushed with saline. This resulted in the dilution of the urine sample and thus causing a falsely low urine alcohol concentration.