A comparison of post-mortem ethanol levels obtained from blood and subdural specimens

Post-mortem subdural ethanol levels have been proposed as a useful test in certain forensic cases involving head trauma, particularly when the time interval from injury to death may have caused a lowering of the blood ethanol concentration to insignificant or undetectable levels. This study of 75 autopsied persons from whom both blood and subdural ethanol levels were obtained, shows the usefulness of the subdural ethanol level, especially where there is a prolonged or unknown post-traumatic time interval. Use of such a test is recommended in these situations.