TY - JOUR PY - 2006// TI - Distribution of ether in two postmortem cases JO - Journal of analytical toxicology A1 - Cox, D. A1 - DeRienz, Rebecca A1 - Jufer Phipps, Rebecca A. A1 - Levine, B. A1 - Jacobs, Anne A1 - Fowler, David SP - 635 EP - 637 VL - 30 IS - 8 N2 - Diethyl ether (ether) is a volatile liquid that was used in the 1800s as an anesthetic agent; however, it is no longer used for this purpose, partly because of its odor and flammability. Two postmortem cases in which ether was detected are presented. The first case was an 18-year-old male found hanging from a basement ceiling brace in a semi-sitting position with a gas mask covering his face. A container of Prestone starting fluid and a bong were found on the floor close to the body. The second case was a 20-year-old male found unresponsive in his dormitory room with two black plastic trash bags secured over his head. Two saturated rags and a resealable bag containing a clear liquid were contained within these trash bags. An almost empty can of Tradco starting fluid was also found at the scene. Ether concentrations were determined by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the selective ion monitoring mode. In case #1, the medical examiner ruled that the cause of death was asphyxia due to hanging; the manner of death was undetermined. In case #2, the medical examiner ruled that the cause of death was asphyxia and the manner of death was suicide.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0146-4760 UR - http://dx.doi.org/ ID - ref1 ER -