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Expired CO2 Measurement in Intubated or Spontaneously Breathing Patients from the Emergency Department
Published on: January 29, 2011
Carbon monoxide poisoning without cherry-red livor
1Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403, USA.
The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology
|September 21, 2001
Summary
Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning usually causes cherry-red skin, but this case showed no color change. This absence of a typical sign may lead to misclassification of death, impacting legal and social outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is typically identified by cherry-red discoloration of skin and viscera.
- This discoloration is a key indicator in forensic investigations.
Observation:
- A case of fatal CO poisoning (86% blood saturation) in a 75-year-old male was reported.
- The decedent exhibited an unusual absence of cherry-red livor in both skin and viscera.
Findings:
- Testing of tissue and blood specimens at various temperatures did not induce cherry-red coloration.
- Hypotheses suggest cold exposure may sequester CO-saturated blood, and alternative protein binding may affect visceral color.
Implications:
- Absence of cherry-red livor can lead to misclassification of cause and manner of death.
- Such misclassification has significant medicolegal and social consequences, potentially losing crucial historical information.
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