Forensic-Medical Criteria for Evaluation of Poisoning by Alcohol Surrogates

Abstract

Introduction: According to statistical data, fatal poisoning by alcohol and its surrogates account for more
than 55% of all poisonings. Fatal poisoning by alcohol surrogates equals for about 3-5%. The number of
poisonings by organic solvents and technical fluids taken orally as alcohol surrogates has risen sharply.
The widespread availability of these compounds and poor public awareness of their toxic properties lead to
poisoning by these substances, and the frequency of such poisoning has a strong tendency to increase.
Materials and Method: 20 archival forensic medical reports on the corpses of people who received chemical
intoxication due to poisoning by alcohol surrogates. The subject of the study was the effect of poisoning
by alcohol surrogates on human systems and organs. Forensic medical examination of the corpses was
carried out according to the generally accepted method in the first 10-18 hours, but no later than 24 hours
after death. Quantitative determination of alcohol surrogates in biological material was carried out by gas
chromatographic and spectrophotometric method.
Results: The most common signs of external examination of corpses in all cases studied during the study
were clearly defined bluish-violet cadaveric spots (in 100% of cases), pale pink conjunctiva (in 86% of
cases), and cyanosis puffiness of the skin of the face (in 74% of cases). Meanwhile, the most significant of
the microscopic signs characteristic of most of the studied cases during forensic histological examination
were: plethora of vessels in the lung tissue (in 100% of cases), edema of the pia mater and brain tissue (in
86% of cases), edema and focal hemorrhages in the lung tissue (in 84% of cases).
Conclusion: Respiratory, cardiovascular systems and pancreas are most vulnerable target organs for alcohol
surrogates and leads to early morbidities in people who consume chronically. The changes can be found
macroscopically as well as microscopically in corpses during forensic medical examinations.