The Formation of Ethanol in Postmortem Tissues

Johnson RD, Lewis RJ, Angier MK, Vu NT

FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine - Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

关键词: Postmortem Ethanol;    Formation;    Microbe;    Aircraft Accident Investigation;   

RP-ID  :  DOT/FAA/AM-04/4

美国|英语

来源: Federal Aviation Administration

【 摘 要 】

During the investigation of aviation accidents, postmortem samples obtained from fatal accident victims are submitted to the FAA�s Civil Aerospace Medical Institute for toxicological analysis. During toxicological evaluations, ethanol analysis is performed on all cases. Many species of bacteria, yeast and fungi have the ability to produce ethanol and other volatile organic compounds in postmortem specimens. The potential for postmortem ethanol formation complicates the interpretation of ethanol-positive results from accident victims.