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The Impact of Donor Preparation for Tissue Procurement on Postmortem Vitreous Isopropanol Concentration

The Impact of Donor Preparation for Tissue Procurement on Postmortem Vitreous Isopropanol... Abstract Volatile chemicals can be relevant in the determination of the cause and manner of death by forensic pathologists. Isopropanol is a secondary alcohol that is occasionally seen on postmortem toxicology testing. A series of 11 forensic autopsy cases was previously reported in which the presence of isopropanol in the vitreous humor was suspected to be due to postmortem contamination from the body preparation process for tissue procurement. In collaboration with a tissue procurement agency, donor vitreous humor was collected from one eye before body preparation for procurement and from the other eye postpreparation. The specimens underwent testing for volatile substances by headspace gas chromatography. Of the 50 cases, 8 (16%) showed statistically significant changes in the prepreparation and postpreparation isopropanol concentrations. Postpreparation isopropanol concentrations ranged from 5 to 104 mg/dL (median, 18 mg/dL). Seven of the 8 cases had undetectable prepreparation isopropanol, whereas the remaining case had a detectable prepreparation isopropanol. In conclusion, surface contamination of the decedent's body with chemicals used in body preparation can lead to the passive absorption into the body, resulting in the presence of isopropanol in postmortem toxicology samples. Forensic pathologists need to be aware of this when interpreting postmortem samples after tissue procurement. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png American Journal of Forensic Medicine & Pathology Wolters Kluwer Health

The Impact of Donor Preparation for Tissue Procurement on Postmortem Vitreous Isopropanol Concentration

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Publisher
Wolters Kluwer Health
Copyright
Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
ISSN
0195-7910
eISSN
1533-404X
DOI
10.1097/paf.0000000000000810
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Abstract Volatile chemicals can be relevant in the determination of the cause and manner of death by forensic pathologists. Isopropanol is a secondary alcohol that is occasionally seen on postmortem toxicology testing. A series of 11 forensic autopsy cases was previously reported in which the presence of isopropanol in the vitreous humor was suspected to be due to postmortem contamination from the body preparation process for tissue procurement. In collaboration with a tissue procurement agency, donor vitreous humor was collected from one eye before body preparation for procurement and from the other eye postpreparation. The specimens underwent testing for volatile substances by headspace gas chromatography. Of the 50 cases, 8 (16%) showed statistically significant changes in the prepreparation and postpreparation isopropanol concentrations. Postpreparation isopropanol concentrations ranged from 5 to 104 mg/dL (median, 18 mg/dL). Seven of the 8 cases had undetectable prepreparation isopropanol, whereas the remaining case had a detectable prepreparation isopropanol. In conclusion, surface contamination of the decedent's body with chemicals used in body preparation can lead to the passive absorption into the body, resulting in the presence of isopropanol in postmortem toxicology samples. Forensic pathologists need to be aware of this when interpreting postmortem samples after tissue procurement.

Journal

American Journal of Forensic Medicine & Pathology – Wolters Kluwer Health

Published: Jun 24, 2023

References

  • A characterization of sources of isopropanol detected on postmortem toxicological analysis
    Molina, DK
  • Isopropanol poisoning
    Slaughter, RJ; Mason, RW; Beasley, DM
  • Isopropanol in postmortem vitreous humor due to body preparation for tissue procurement: a report of six cases. American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting [virtual]
    Melton, A; Cohle, S; Turner, KA
  • Analysis of the origin and importance of acetone and isopropanol levels in the blood of the deceased for medico-legal testimony
    Borowska-Solonynko, A; Siwińska-Ziółkowska, A; Piotrkowicz, M
  • Blood, urine and vitreous isopropyl alcohol as biochemical markers in forensic investigations
    Palmiere, C; Sporkert, F; Werner, D