The utility of volatile hydrocarbon analysis in cases of carbon monoxide poisoning

A new approach to investigate the circumstances relating to carbon monoxide intoxication by analysing volatile hydrocarbons in the blood of cadavers is reported. Headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to demonstrate the hydrocarbons. The results can be characterized into four categories depending on the compounds detected. In construction fire cases where no accelerants were found at the scene benzene, toluene and styrene were detected in the blood. In cases where gasoline was found in the fire debris surrounding the victim, high levels of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene isomers, n-hexane and n-heptane were detected in the blood. In cases where kerosene was found in the fire debris around the victim, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene isomers, C9-aromatics(n-propylbenzene, trimethyl-benzene isomers), n-octane, n-nonane and n-decane were detected in the blood. In cases where the victim was found inside a gasoline-fuelled automobile filled with exhaust gas, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene isomers, C9-aromatics were found, but no aliphatic hydrocarbons such as components of petroleum. The analyses of the combustion gases of inflammable materials, exhaust gas, gasoline vapours and kerosene vapours were also performed to evaluate the results of the blood analyses. Consequently, some compounds are proposed as indicators to discriminate between inhaled gases i.e. styrene in common combustion gas, n-hexane and n-heptane as well as benzene, toluene and C9-aromatics in gasoline cases, n-nonane and n-octane as well as benzene, toluene and C9-aromatics in kerosene cases, and benzene, toluene, C9-aromatics but no aliphatic hydrocarbons in exhaust gas cases.