ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 4

Postmortem Methemoglobin Concentrations and Their Significance
Reay, DT
Chief medical examiner and medical examiner, King County, Medical Examiner Division, WA

Eisele, JW
Chief medical examiner and medical examiner, King County, Medical Examiner Division, WA

Insalaco, SJ
Assistant chief, Anatomic Pathology, Madigan Army Medical Center, WA

(Received 15 December 1983; accepted 9 March 1984)

Abstract

Small concentrations of methemoglobin are present in the blood of normal individuals. Increased concentrations of methemoglobin can be formed by the action of certain chemicals or drugs, or in individuals with specific genetic defects. There is little information available concerning the validity of postmortem methemoglobin concentration as an indicator of antemortem methemoglobinemia. We measured blood concentrations of methemoglobin in 49 autopsy specimens. We conclude that postmortem methemoglobin concentrations are not valid indicators of antemortem methemoglobinemia.

Keywords:
toxicology, methemoglobin, blood

Paper ID: JFS11784J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS11784J
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