Postmortem Production of Ethanol in Different Tissues Under Controlled Experimental Conditions

• NCJ Number: 208588
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 50 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2005 Pages: 204-208
• Author(s): Stojan M. Petkovic M.D.; Milan A. Simic M.D.; Dura N. Vujic B.S.
• Date Published: January 2005
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study monitored the postmortem ethanol-production phenomenon under controlled experimental conditions (temperature and time interval) in various tissues.

Abstract

The postmortem synthesis of ethanol was described for the first time many decades ago. It has been identified as a product of putrefaction in a few cases in which it could not have been ingested premortem. There are at least 58 species of bacteria, 17 species of yeast, and 24 species of molds that can produce ethanol under various conditions. The current study involved 30 corpses of individuals who died at ages that ranged between 20 and 50 years and whose deaths occurred 6 to 12 hours before autopsy. The subjects died of either natural or violent causes. Deaths related to medical interventions and those caused by intoxication were excluded. Specimens were divided into two control and three experimental groups. All experimental groups and the second control group were divided into four subgroups according to storage duration at the given temperature. The mean concentration value of produced ethanol for a particular tissue over a specific time interval and at a given temperature was the difference between the mean concentration value of measured ethanol for the designated conditions and the mean concentration of the first control group. All specimens stored at -20 degrees C and 4 degrees C did not show any change in ethanol concentration in an 8-day time interval. At 20 degrees C and 30 degrees C, all tissues, except blood, showed statistically significant ethanol production over the time interval tested. The blood sample kept at 30 degrees C showed a statistically significant increase in ethanol production on the second and fourth day compared to the controls. Thus, postmortem ethanol production occurs in various tissues, and it increases at higher temperature and generally over time. 1 table, 4 figures, and 20 references