[5-HTOL--a new biochemical alcohol marker with forensic applications]

The concentration of ethanol in blood and urine provides important evidence in criminal and civil litigation when alcohol-related crimes are investigated (e.g., drunk driving). The determination of ethanol in body fluids is a routine procedure at forensic chemistry and toxicology laboratories and when gas chromatographic methods are used accurate and precise results are obtained. However, the risk for artifactual formation of ethanol, especially in postmortem specimens, always needs to be considered. The ratio of 5-HTOL/5-HIAA in urine provides a useful way to distinguish between ethanol produced after death, or generated in vitro after sampling, from the ethanol consumed. This article describes the application of the 5-HTOL/5-HIAA ratio as a biochemical marker for acute alcohol intake in various forensic situations. Examples include suspected drunk drivers, rape victims, and medico-legal autopsies where forensic ethanol analysis is requested.