TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2020//
TI  - Hydrogen cyanide and carboxyhemoglobin assessment in an open space fire-related  fatality
JO  - Journal of forensic sciences
A1  - Tabian, Daniel
A1  - Bulgaru Iliescu, Diana
A1  - Iov, Tatiana
A1  - Barna, Barabas
A1  - Toma, Sebastian Ionut
A1  - Drochioiu, Gabi
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) can be a major contributory factor in death from fire-related  inhalation injury. Although carbon monoxide (CO) is considered the lethal agent of  smoke in fires, its liability as a cause of death is sometimes debatable. The  purpose of this report is to present the case of an 80-year-old man with locomotor  disabilities who died due to an open space fire of vegetation debris and household  waste in his yard. We evaluated here the concentrations of HCN and carboxyhemoglobin  (COHb) and their contribution to the mechanism of death. In addition, the risk  factors and the contributing effect of the factors that compose the complex toxic  environment that develops in fires were discussed. COHb was determined by  spectrophotometry as recommended by Katsumata et al. in 1982. HCN was determined  with ninhydrin in postmortem blood samples after removal with 20% phosphoric acid  and capture in a potassium carbonate solution. A toxic concentration of  1.3 μg ml(-1) HCN and a lethal COHb level of 73.7% were determined in the blood  samples. Although death was mainly attributed to CO poisoning and extremely severe  burns in this open space burning case, the additive effect of HCN in the mechanism  of death was also highlighted. The results suggested the possibility that the man's  clothing may have played an important role in the production of HCN in this open  space fire, as well as other types of garbage that were burned.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0022-1198
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.14649
ID  - ref1
ER  -