An Unexpected Death Related to Accidental Gasoline Inhalation / 대한법의학회지

Gasoline is a chemical compound of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, and it easily vaporizes because of its volatile characteristics. Gasoline inhalation may occur accidentally or intentionally in various situations which could result in acute non-lethal or lethal intoxication. Given that gasoline is widely used in everyday life, it is surprising that deaths related to gasoline inhalation rarely occur. We presented a rare case of unexpected death related to gasoline inhalation with the postmortem findings and features.

Diver Death due to Underwater Explosion / 대한법의학회지

A 44-year-old man was cutting an outer plate of a ship, at a depth of 25 m below sea level. Following a sudden explosion, he was discovered unconscious and was carried to the surface by other divers. There was no evidence of vital signs upon arrival at the hospital. Postmortem computed tomography, which was performed prior to autopsy, revealed massive pneumocephalus in the brain, pneumohemothorax, diffuse lung contusions with multiple traumatic lung cysts, air-fluid level in the cardiac chamber of the chest, and pneumoperitoneum in the abdomen. Postmortem external examination showed a circular abrasion on the jaw, diffuse subcutaneous emphysema, and contusion in the right upper arm. An internal examination revealed intravascular air bubbles in all four chambers of the heart, and diffuse pulmonary trauma including contusion, laceration, and multiple traumatic cysts. Blast injury to the chest, and air embolism due to the underwater explosion were established as the underlying cause of death.

A Case of Outdoor Fatal CO Poisoning by Exhaust of Water Pump Motor / 대한법의학회지

Carbon monoxide(CO) is a colorless, nonirritating, odorless and tasteless gas originating from incom-plete combustion of carbon-based fuels. Its toxicity is well-known for invisible, silent killer and is caused by a consequence of tissue hypoxia created by the displacement of oxygen from hemoglobin and subse-quent impairment of oxygen release to the tissues. It affects different sites within the body, but has its most profound impact on the organs with the highest oxygen requirement. The determination of the extent of intoxication depends on the CO concentration and the intensity and duration of inhalation, but because of its high affinity to hemoglobin, extremely low concentrations in the atmosphere can produce very high blood concentration of CO. Indoor emission sources, notably fuel-burning heating appliances, cause most accidental or suicidal deaths, and almost cases of fatal CO poisoning occur in enclosed or restricted place. But this case occured in the field beside water pump which was operating and such a peculiar case has its significance for the alert to public health and occupational safety.