Problems of Forensic Sciences 2006 Vol. 66 (LXVI) 154-158
STUDY ON THE STABILITY OF THE ETHANOL LEVEL IN VITREOUS HUMOR
Zofia OLSZOWY, Joanna NOWICKA, Teresa GRABOWSKA
Chair of Forensic Medicine, Department of Forensic Toxicology, Silesian University of Medicine, Katowice, Poland
Streszczenie
Simultaneous determination of the ethanol level in blood and vitreous humor can be of great importance in assessment of alcohol intoxication in cases concerning decomposing human corpses. The aim of the study was to investigate the stability of the ethanol level in vitreous humor. The material examined was 50 vitreous humor samples (experimental group) and 50 blood samples (comparative group). Determination of the ethanol level was carried out simultaneously in both groups by means of the headspace gas chromatographic method on the day when the samples were collected and then after one and three months’ storage at +4°C (fridge). The obtained results showed the great stability of the ethanol level in vitreous humor. After three months’ storage at +4°C, a decreased level of ethyl alcohol was found only in 8 out of the 50 vitreous humor samples examined. By comparison, ethanol levels in 30 blood samples changed.
Słowa kluczowe
Ethanol stability; Vitreous humor; Blood.