NDLI: A chloroform-related death: analytical and forensic aspects.

Content Provider	World Health Organization (WHO)-Global Index Medicus
Author	Flanagan, R. J. Pounder, D. J.
Description	Country affiliation: United kingdom Author Affiliation: Flanagan RJ ( Department of Clinical Biochemistry, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. robert.flanagan@nhs.net)
Abstract	Chloroform is still encountered occasionally in clinical and forensic toxicology, hence knowledge of the special problems presented in the detection and measurement of this compound in biological specimens may be required. The aim of this paper is to review the available documentation on this topic in the context of a chloroform-related death. Early one morning in February 1999 a 34-year-old female was found dead fully clothed on a path near to a neighbour's garden. Amfetamine intoxication combined with hypothermia was accepted as the cause of the death in the absence of any other identifiable cause. Further investigation 17 months later revealed a blood chloroform concentration of 31 mg/L and the cause of death was revised to chloroform poisoning. A murder trial ensued, the indictment specifying forced inhalation as the route of exposure. The liver chloroform concentration measured 38 months after collection was reported as 1064 mg/kg and opinions were offered at trial that the autopsy findings, which included a gastritis, but no evidence of injury to the inside of the mouth and oesophagus, excluded the possibility of ingestion of a toxic dose of chloroform. It was asserted that the explanation for the high liver concentration was that the liver had concentrated chloroform from blood after death against a concentration gradient. At appeal against conviction 7 years later the conviction was quashed. It was found that the liver concentration should have been reported at trial as 1 mg/kg. Moreover, chloroform found in the stomach contents (162 mg/kg) 86 months after collection was irrefutable evidence that some, if not all, of the chloroform had been ingested. Screening for volatile poisons should always be considered if a cause of death is not immediately obvious, especially in young people and in known substance abusers. If the presence of an unstable or volatile analyte is suspected then sample collection, transport, and storage must be performed with the analysis in mind. Quantitative analysis of all available specimens should proceed forthwith once the presence of an unstable analyte is established if the cause of death is in doubt or if prosecution may follow. In the case of chloroform especial precautions are needed: (i) headspace analysis should be performed at 35 degrees C to preclude the possibility of artefactual formation from trichloroacetic acid, (ii) precautions to prevent cross-contamination of biological samples in the laboratory must be taken, and (iii) interpretation of analytical results must take account of the widespread presence of chloroform in the environment on the one hand, and that the toxicity of chloroform varies greatly depending on the circumstances and intensity of exposure on the other.
File Format	HTM / HTML
ISSN	03790738
Issue Number	1-3
Volume Number	197
e-ISSN	18726283
Journal	Forensic Science International
Language	English
Publisher	Elsevier
Publisher Date	2010-04-15
Publisher Place	Ireland
Access Restriction	Subscribed
Subject Keyword	Discipline Forensic Science Solvents Gastrointestinal Contents Chloroform Humans Liver Administration & Dosage Forensic Toxicology Journal Article Case Reports Chemistry Homicide Analysis Legislation & Jurisprudence Vitreous Body Adult Female Poisoning
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Case study Article
Subject Domain (in MeSH)	Digestive System Sense Organs Fluids and Secretions Eukaryota Organic Chemicals Chemical Actions and Uses Natural Science Disciplines Social Sciences Persons
Subject	Pathology and Forensic Medicine Law

Sl.	Authority	Responsibilities	Communication Details
1	Ministry of Education (GoI), Department of Higher Education	Sanctioning Authority	https://www.education.gov.in/ict-initiatives
2	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	Host Institute of the Project: The host institute of the project is responsible for providing infrastructure support and hosting the project	https://www.iitkgp.ac.in
3	National Digital Library of India Office, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	The administrative and infrastructural headquarters of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in
4	Project PI / Joint PI	Principal Investigator and Joint Principal Investigators of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti will be added soon
5	Website/Portal (Helpdesk)	Queries regarding NDLI and its services	support@ndl.gov.in
6	Contents and Copyright Issues	Queries related to content curation and copyright issues	content@ndl.gov.in
7	National Digital Libarray of India Club (NDLI Club)	Queries related to NDLI Club formation, support, user awareness program, seminar/symposium, collaboration, social media, promotion, and outreach	clubsupport@ndl.gov.in
8	Digital Preservation Centre (DPC)	Assistance with digitizing and archiving copyright-free printed books	dpc@ndl.gov.in
9	IDR Setup or Support	Queries related to establishment and support of Institutional Digital Repository (IDR) and IDR workshops	idr@ndl.gov.in

Unusual fentanyl patch administration.

Homicide due to intravenous metallic mercury injection followed by sodium cyanide injection.

Unexpected double lethal oleander poisoning.

Deaths with transdermal fentanyl patches.

Asphyxial suicide by inhalation of chloroform inside a plastic bag.

Sudden death involving inhalation of 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a) with spray cleaner: three case reports.

A fatal poisoning involving 25C-NBOMe.

Acute methylone intoxication in an accidental drowning--a case report.

Homicide by poisoning.

A chloroform-related death: analytical and forensic aspects.

Similar Documents

Unusual fentanyl patch administration.

Homicide due to intravenous metallic mercury injection followed by sodium cyanide injection.

Unexpected double lethal oleander poisoning.

Deaths with transdermal fentanyl patches.

Asphyxial suicide by inhalation of chloroform inside a plastic bag.

Sudden death involving inhalation of 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a) with spray cleaner: three case reports.

A fatal poisoning involving 25C-NBOMe.

Acute methylone intoxication in an accidental drowning--a case report.

Homicide by poisoning.

A chloroform-related death: analytical and forensic aspects.