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Related Experiment Videos

Ethanol formation in unadulterated postmortem tissues.

Russell J Lewis1, Robert D Johnson, Mike K Angier

  • 1Analytical Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory, Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, Federal Aviation Administration, AAM-610, CAMI Building, RM 205, 6500 S. Macarthur Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73169-6901, USA. russell.j.lewis@faa.gov

Forensic Science International
|October 16, 2004
PubMed
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Postmortem ethanol formation in aviation accident tissues is a concern. Sodium fluoride effectively prevents microbial ethanol production in tissue specimens, regardless of storage temperature, ensuring accurate toxicological analysis.

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Toxicology
  • Postmortem Analysis
  • Microbial Contamination

Background:

  • Aviation accident investigations require toxicological analysis of postmortem samples.
  • Microbial activity can produce ethanol in postmortem specimens, complicating results.
  • Current preservatives are less effective for tissue samples, which are frequently used.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of sodium fluoride in preventing microbial ethanol formation in postmortem tissue specimens.
  • To assess the impact of storage temperature on postmortem ethanol production in tissues.
  • To ensure accurate ethanol analysis for aviation accident victims.

Main Methods:

  • Experimentation with unadulterated tissue specimens from aviation accident victims.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Testing sodium fluoride preservative at 1.00% concentration.
  • Incubation of specimens at 4°C and 25°C for 96 hours.
  • Measurement of ethanol concentration changes.

    • Main Results:

    • Unpreserved specimens showed significant ethanol increases (22-84 mg/hg) at both 4°C and 25°C.
    • Specimens treated with 1.00% sodium fluoride exhibited no significant ethanol increase at either temperature.
    • Sodium fluoride effectively inhibited microbial ethanol production in tissue samples.

    Conclusions:

    • Sodium fluoride is a reliable preservative for preventing microbial ethanol formation in postmortem tissue specimens.
    • This finding is crucial for accurate ethanol interpretation in aviation accident toxicology.
    • Standardization of preservative use in tissue samples is recommended.