Citation

Nadjem H, Perdekamp MG, Auwärter V, Stefan P, Thierauf A. Arch. Kriminol. 2011; 227(1-2): 23-32.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Verlag Schmidt-Romhild)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

21404548

Abstract

A 42-year-old man evidently had died from an intoxication. On the basis of the findings at scene it was primarily assumed that the man had ingested a larger quantity of an ethylene glycol-containing antifreeze for suicidal purposes. The man was said to have had an alcohol problem and did not only consume drinking alcohol, but also other alcoholic liquids. At autopsy, a bluish liquid with an aromatic smell was found in the oesophagus and stomach. However, toxicological analyses did not furnish evidence of ethylene glycol--as expected--but a potentially fatal concentration of ethanol (blood alcohol concentration 4.01 per mille). The blue colour (patent blue C.I.42051) came from a liquid used in the wind-screen washer system in winter, which now contains ethanol (denatured with 2-butanone) instead of ethylene glycol. The results of the toxicological findings including the analysis of congener alcohols and the differential diagnostics of blue-coloured stomach contents are discussed.

Language: de

Keywords

Humans; Adult; Male; Suicide; Autopsy; Germany; Gastric Mucosa; Diagnosis, Differential; Alcoholic Intoxication; Gastrointestinal Contents; Ethylene Glycol; Pigmentation