Citation

Iffland R, Staak M. Blutalkohol 1981; 18(5): 341-353.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1981, International Committee on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety and Bund gegen Alkohol und Drogen im Straßenverkehr, Publisher Steintor Verlag)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The alcohol levels of post-mortem blood from the vena femoralis (BAC) and blood clots (HAC) were compared in 164 cases following lethal injuries to assess the medico-legal significance of any differences. These differences were classified into three groups, viz. HAC - BAC less than 0,21(per mille), BAC - HAC > 0,21(per mille) and an absolute difference HAC - BAC less than 0,21(per mille). Cases with long survival time belong mainly to the first group. It is possible to estimate survival times from the differences between the HAC and BAC, if the BAC was not lower than 0,2 - 0,3(per mille) and intracranial haemorrhages were sufficiently isolated to prevent rapid diffusion. In some cases of prolonged survival large blood clots were found. In these clots the alcohol levels varied due to differences in diffusion to surrounding tissues. It is not possible to determine the age of the blood clots by measuring their water concentrations. More than 50% of all traumatic cases showed that the subject was under the influence of alcohol during the initial event. For jurisdiction or accident insurance purposes it is important to know the level of intoxication. In most cases of patients dying in hospital no blood or portion of blood clots were taken during operation for alcohol determination.