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Abstract
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AIM: Fatal accidents with CO-intoxication were typically observed after burnings, the use of defected stoves, heaters and the use of so-called indoor barbecues. On suicidal purpose CO-source of choice is often car exhaust. Extraordinary CO-sources are presented in the following three cases due to suicidal intentions as well as accidental reasons.
METHODS and CASE REPORTS: In the first case, two brothers were found dead in a tent which was placed in a room with an open window. In the tent, eleven broken yellow bags which were fitted with a tube at their openings were found. In the second case, a couple built a kind of stake with 10 sacks containing total 50 kg of thermite. With the intention to blow themselves up, they set fire to the house. Later the two dead bodies could be located under charred blankets on top of the stake. The thermite piles remained untouched by the fire. In the third case, two men were discovered dead in the morning in a transporter. A gas-powered refrigerator has been in the vehicle for the whole night.
RESULTS and DISCUSSION: In all cases, high CO-Hb-concentrations were detected in femoral blood. Further chemical investigations revealed no toxicologically relevant substances including ethanol. In the first case, the way of filling the CO-gas into the bags by the younger brother could not be reconstructed up to now. The death of the elder brother, who probably entered the room secondly and opened the window, was assumingly an accident. In the second case, the couple died because of a CO-intoxication due to the burning roof framework. In the third case, the long use of a gas-powered refrigerator in a transporter resulted in a fatal accident.
CONCLUSION: Next to the well known CO-sources new dangerous CO-producing devices can be found in the environment of victims of suicidal and accidental cases of CO-intoxications.
Language: en |