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Fatal intoxication with a decalcifying agent containing formic acid.
F Westphal1, G Rochholz, S Ritz-Timme
1Institut für Rechtsmedizin im Klinikum der Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Germany. rechtsmedizin@email.uni-kiel.de
International Journal of Legal Medicine
|April 12, 2001
Summary
A fatal formic acid ingestion case highlights its toxicity. High concentrations in body fluids and organs confirmed suicidal intent, leading to severe acidosis and organ failure.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Formic acid, a component of decalcifying agents, can be lethal if ingested.
- Accurate quantification of formic acid in biological samples is crucial for forensic investigations.
Observation:
- A case of fatal formic acid ingestion is presented.
- Quantitative analysis of formic acid was performed in various body fluids and organs using head-space gas chromatography with flame ionization detection.
- Morphological findings included oropharyngeal and esophageal ulceration, and necrotic lesions in the stomach and duodenum.
Findings:
- Blood formic acid levels were initially high (370.3 microg/ml) and decreased after hemodialysis.
- Post-mortem analysis revealed significant concentrations in heart blood, gastric contents, abdominal fluid, bile, small intestine, liver, and kidney.
- Death was attributed to severe metabolic acidosis, hemolysis, bleeding, and hepatic/renal failure.
Implications:
- This case underscores the lethal potential of formic acid and the importance of toxicological analysis in determining cause of death.
- The findings support oral ingestion as the route of administration with suicidal intent.
- Head-space gas chromatography is a reliable method for detecting and quantifying formic acid in post-mortem samples.