Citation

Garg U, Frazee CC, Kiscoan M, Scott D, Peterson B, Cathcart D. J. Anal. Toxicol. 2008; 32(4): 324-326.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Preston Publications)

DOI

10.1093/jat/32.4.324

PMID

18430302

Abstract

The decomposed body of a 45-year-old female was found, face down, in a mobile home, along with a suicide note and two antifreeze containers. Analysis of the body fluid collected from the decedent showed the presence of 58 mg/dL ethanol, but suspected ethylene glycol was not found in the sample. However, an unusually large peak of internal standard, 1,3-propanediol, was found in the sample. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the presence of 1,3-propanediol in the sample. Using gas chromatography-flame-ionization detection, the concentration of 1,3-propanediol was determined to be 445 mg/dL. To our knowledge, this is the first report involving 1,3-propanediol as the cause of death. The study also highlights the importance for the close scrutiny of data, as 1,3-propanediol is a frequently used internal standard for the assay of glycols.

Language: en

Keywords

Body Fluids; Female; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Humans; Middle Aged; Propylene Glycols; Suicide