Postmortem diffusion of n-butane and i-butane used for anticontagious plugging spray

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.