Ethanol levels in legally autopsied subjects (2016–2017): Update of data and epidemiological implications in relation to violent deaths in Canary Islands (Spain)

Publication date: November 2019Source: Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, Volume 68Author(s): M. Almeida-González, O.P. Luzardo, L.D. Boada, E. Zaragoza, M.J. Meilán, M. Zumbado, L.A. Henríquez-HernándezAbstractThe aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of ethanol in individuals (277) subjected to a mandatory medico-legal autopsy in the Institute of Legal Medicine of Las Palmas (Canary Islands, Spain) during 2016–2017, comparing the results with data published in 2015. Blood and/or vitreous humor samples were analyzed by gas chromatography. 31.8% of the individuals were positive to ethanol. We observed a decrease in the prevalence of ethanol among males (p = 0.002). While the prevalence of ethanol was reduced, the concentration among those positive subjects has increased. 11.9% of the series died in a traffic accident and the percentage of positive to ethanol decreased in relation to 2015 (64.3, 25.0, and 35.3%). The number of suicides remains constant, although the age of the suiciders has been significantly reduced (p = 0.022). The results of this study indicate that ethanol is still heavily involved in non-natural deaths.
Source: Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine - Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research