Analysis of body fluids after embalming is not without problems and usually
depends on the embalming process.
I recently carried out an investigation on a body from the middle east. The
embalming fluid used was mostly formaldehyde, which had been injected into
the body. There was gross contamination of all the body fluids, with
Methanol. However, the Ethanol concentration was negligible.
Provided a GLC method is used to assay the fluids, the absence of Ethanol is
easily proved. The ingestion of Ethanol may not be so easily proved.
Mike Guillain
Clinical Biochemist
Wansbeck General Hospital
Ashington Northumberand
voice : +44(0)1670529713
fax : +44(0)1670529719
email : [log in to unmask]
> ----- Original Message -----
> Subject: Embalming
>
>
> >
> > Sorry to post a grizzly request first thing on a Monday morning, but can
> any
> > of you forensic experts enlighten me as to the effects of embalming on
the
> > ethanol content of various bodily fluids ?
> > We have a body, deceased died in a road accident in France, on which no
> > autopsy was performed nor samples taken. Coroner wants to know was
ethanol
> > involved. Can we practically analyse any removable fluid for ethanol or
> has
> > the embalming process cotaminated the evidence ?
> >
> > Many thanks
> >
> > Philip Hyde
> > Clin Chem
> > Pilgrim Hospital
> > Boston (UK).
> > ____________________________________________________
> >
>
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