NCJ Number
240276
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 57 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2012 Pages: 674-678
Date Published
May 2012
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Isopropanol (IPA) detected in deaths because of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or alcoholic ketoacidosis (AKA) may cause concern for IPA poisoning.
Abstract
Isopropanol (IPA) detected in deaths because of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or alcoholic ketoacidosis (AKA) may cause concern for IPA poisoning. This study addressed this concern in a 15-year retrospective review of 260 deaths in which concentrations of acetone and IPA, as well as their ratios, were compared in DKA (175 cases), AKA (79 cases), and IPA intoxication (six cases). The results demonstrated the frequency of detecting IPA in ketoacidosis when there was no evidence of IPA ingestion. IPA was detectable in 77 percent of DKA cases with quantifiable concentrations averaging 15.1 +/- 13.0 mg/dL; 52 percent of AKA cases with quantifiable concentrations averaging 18.5 +/- 22.1 mg/dL; and in cases of IPA intoxication, averaging 326 +/- 260 mg/dL. There was weak correlation of IPA production with postmortem interval in DKA only (r = -0.48). Although IPA concentrations were much higher with ingestion, potentially toxic concentrations were achievable in DKA without known ingestion. Abstract published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons.