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Postmortem diffusion of n-butane and i-butane used for anticontagious plugging spray
Katsuhiro Okuda1, Chikatoshi Maseda1, Masaru Asari1
1Department of Legal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, 2-1-1-1 Midorigaoka-Higashi, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan.
Abstract:
Blood and tissue samples from a forensic autopsy of a man in his late 60s, who developed dementia and died of multiple head traumas due to a fall from a moving vehicle, contained certain amounts of n-butane and i-butane. The concentration of n-butane was in the range of 0.48-70.5 μL/g, which would be considered as toxic or lethal levels. We had to distinguish whether the cause of his unexplained behavior was due to his pre-existing condition (dementia), or from a confused state induced by butane abuse. No traces of butane use were found at the scene. Police investigation revealed that a propellant used in an anticontagious plugging spray had been administered to him during a postmortem treatment in the emergency hospital. In order to prove the postmortem butane diffusion had resulted from the spray administration and to estimate the diffused concentration, experimental simulation was conducted by using rats. As a result of postmortem treatment with the spray, n-butane at concentrations of 0.54-15.5 μL/mL or g were found in the rat blood and tissues. In this case, we provided further evidence that the postmortem butane diffusion, caused by using the anticontagious plugging spray containing butane gas as a propellant administered to a cadaver during a postmortem procedure prior to forensic autopsy, should be distinguished from cases of actual butane poisoning.
Insights
Postmortem butane levels in a deceased individual were investigated. Experimental simulations confirmed that postmortem butane diffusion from medical spray administration, not butane poisoning, explained the findings.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Postmortem Analysis
- Toxicology
Background:
- Elevated n-butane and i-butane levels were detected in blood and tissue samples during a forensic autopsy.
- The deceased individual had a history of dementia and died from head trauma.
- Distinguishing between pre-existing conditions, actual butane poisoning, and postmortem diffusion was critical.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the source of detected butane levels in postmortem samples.
- To differentiate between butane poisoning and postmortem diffusion from medical interventions.
- To experimentally validate the diffusion of butane from postmortem spray administration.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of blood and tissue samples from a human autopsy.
- Police investigation of the scene and medical history.
- Experimental simulation using rats treated with a butane-containing spray postmortem.
Main Results:
- Detected n-butane concentrations in the deceased were in the toxic or lethal range (0.48-70.5 μL/g).
- Police investigation revealed postmortem administration of an anticontagious plugging spray containing butane.
- Experimental simulation showed postmortem butane diffusion (0.54-15.5 μL/mL or g) in rat tissues after spray application.
Conclusions:
- The detected butane levels were attributed to postmortem diffusion from medical spray administration, not butane poisoning.
- This case highlights the importance of distinguishing between actual poisoning and iatrogenic butane diffusion in forensic autopsies.
- Forensic toxicologists must consider medical interventions during postmortem procedures as a potential source of chemical findings.