ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 4 June 2005
Page Count: 3

An Unusual Form of Fatal Ethanol Intoxication
Wilson, CI
District Six Medical Examiner Office, FL

Wilson, GA
The University of South Florida, FL

Ignacio, SS
District Six Medical Examiner Office, FL

(Received 14 August 2004; accepted 30 October 2004)

Abstract

Forensic pathologists are very familiar with deaths due to ethanol intoxication. The overwhelming majority of these deaths are a result of the oral ingestion of ethanol. We report an unusual case of an individual who expired in his secured residence after self administration of a wine enema. Toxicology showed an ethanol concentration of 0.40 g/dL in the blood and 0.41 g/dL in the vitreous fluid. Scene investigation was of paramount importance in determining the unusual method by which the decedent absorbed the alcoholic beverage.

Keywords:
forensic science, toxicology, ethanol, wine enema

Paper ID: JFS2004325
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2004325
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.