The value of the post mortem analysis of carboxyhemoglobin concentration in the blood – a 15-year study

Abstract

Introduction/Objective The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) concentration in all autopsy cases of fire and non-fire victims – all those who have been suspected to be under the influence of carbon monoxide (CO) in the Belgrade area during a 15-year period (1990–2005).

Methods Correlations between the concentration of HbCO, circumstances of death, vital signs, and prior health conditions, smoking and history of alcohol-abuse, have been particularly analyzed in 192 autopsy cases.

Results The investigation included 52 (27%) females and 140 (73%) males, their average age being 50.78 years. CO poisoning has been established as the cause of death in 74 cases (38%). The manner of death in 170 cases (89%) was an accident, in eight (3%) suicide, in two (1%) murder, in 11 (6%) natural death, and in one case the manner of death hasn’t been established. Such distribution of the manner of death differentiates this study from others of similar type, and it is conditioned by the specificity of life in this region.

Conclusion The predictors of a high HbCO concentration are the sex, cause of death, manner of death, soot aspiration, lower-degree burns. According to the results, we profiled a typical victim of CO poisoning.

Keywords: carbon monoxide; forensic medicine; epidemiology; HbCO concentration