Petechial Hemorrhages and Ethanol in Deaths from Intoxication. Issue 5 (24th June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Flaagøy, Siren Helen; Morild, Inge; Mæhle, Bjørn Ove; Lilleng, Peer Kaare
• Is Part Of: Journal of forensic sciences. Volume 61:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 1266
• Page End: 1269
• Publication Date: 2016-06-24
• Subjects: forensic science -- forensic pathology -- postmortem examination -- intoxication -- petechial hemorrhage -- body position -- livor mortis -- ethanol -- medicinal drugs -- narcotics; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; 363.2505
• DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13143
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1198

Abstract

Abstract: Petechiae in conjunctivae and in the palpebrae/skin of the eyelids are of particular interest for the forensic pathologist, because of their association with pressure on the neck. They have been described in the eyelids of intoxicated persons both in case reports and in text books of forensic pathology. We studied 590 deaths caused by intoxication, and 75 had petechiae either in the conjunctivae, the eyelids, or in both locations. We examined the influence of drugs and ethanol on the location of the petechial hemorrhages in these deaths. Deaths with ethanol in blood and in urine/vitreous humor more often had petechiae in both locations than those without. This association was statistically significant, independent of body position and livor mortis. No association between the location of petechiae, medicinal drugs, or narcotics was found. These results suggest that ethanol may contribute to the development of petechial hemorrhages in deaths from intoxication.