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Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the various forensic considerations that need to be taken into account while performing blood alcohol evaluation. Blood drawn from a decomposing body may yield a flawed alcohol concentration since decomposition involves fermentation, and blood sugar will allow fermentation to occur. Blood alcohol level, in fresh water drowning, may be reduced by dilution, since inhaled water enters the blood circulation. By the same token, transfusions and administration of intravenous fluids in hospitals also dilute blood alcohol concentrations. Therefore, it is advisable that in hospital cases, admission blood specimens drawn prior to fluid administration should be obtained from the emergency room and analyzed. Embalming fluids may contain methanol and/or other alcohols, however, ethanol is not a standard component. Therefore, any ethanol present in an embalmed body suggests that it was ingested prior to death. Blood, which is shed on the floor, the road, inside a vehicle, or anywhere outside the body. may be contaminated, and should not be used for alcohol testing. |
