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Postmortem diffusion of ingested and aspirated paint thinner
C Fuke1, C L Berry, D J Pounder
1Department of Forensic Medicine, Kagawa Medical School, Japan.
Forensic Science International
|April 23, 1996
Summary
Post-mortem paint thinner diffusion from the stomach or airways is unlikely to affect blood, brain, or liver analysis. Pericardial fluid and gastric contents can identify ethyl acetate and isobutanol, indicating thinner exposure.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Postmortem Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Paint thinner components, such as toluene, ethyl acetate, and isobutanol, can be relevant in forensic investigations.
- Understanding postmortem diffusion is crucial for interpreting toxicological findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the postmortem diffusion of paint thinner components from gastric residue and airways.
- To determine the reliability of toxicological samples after potential thinner exposure.
Main Methods:
- A human cadaver model was used to simulate paint thinner exposure via gastric instillation and tracheal contamination.
- Samples were collected after 24 hours at room temperature, including blood, pericardial fluid, bile, urine, brainstem, lung, liver, spleen, kidneys, and fat.
- Toluene, ethyl acetate, and isobutanol concentrations were analyzed using quantitative methods.
Main Results:
- Toluene diffusion into blood was higher after tracheal instillation than gastric instillation.
- Isobutanol showed significant diffusion into blood and various tissues, with higher concentrations in the left liver lobe.
- Ethyl acetate was mostly undetectable in tissues but present in blood and pericardial fluid, especially after tracheal exposure.
Conclusions:
- Postmortem diffusion of toluene from gastric or airway sources is unlikely to invalidate femoral blood, brain, or right liver lobe analyses.
- Analysis of pericardial fluid and gastric contents can help identify ethyl acetate and isobutanol, confirming thinner exposure.