NCJ Number
153158
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 40 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1995) Pages: 134-138
Date Published
1995
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This report describes three related homicides facilitated or directly caused by chloroform and reviews the literature to compare characteristics of these cases with others previously reported.
Abstract
Currently used as a solvent and chemical intermediate in industry and laboratory research, chloroform was a popular 19th- century inhalation anesthetic. Its central nervous system depressant effect has been exploited by some people for purposes related to recreation, suicide, assault, and homicide. In each of the three cases described here, the victim had significant concentrations of chloroform in blood, fat, brain, and liver tissues. The tissue concentrations of chloroform in one subject were within reported lethal ranges; the other two exhibited concentrations that were sublethal, but higher than that found in nonoccupationally exposed healthy subjects. The cause of death in one of these decedents was suffocation; the cause of death could not be determined with certainty in the other decedent. 3 tables and 33 references