Universität zu Köln

Varlet, Vincent ORCID: 0000-0003-3805-4664, Iwersen-Bergmann, S., Alexandre, M., Cordes, O., Wunder, C., Holz, F., Andresen-Streichert, H., Bevalot, F., Dumestre-Toulet, V., Malbranque, S., Fracasso, T. and Grabherr, S. (2019). Helium poisoning: new procedure for sampling and analysis. Int. J. Legal Med., 133 (6). S. 1809 - 1819. NEW YORK: SPRINGER. ISSN 1437-1596

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Abstract

An increasing number of suicidal asphyxiation with a plastic bag with inert gases, and in particular helium (He), have been reported from numerous countries over the last decade. These cases are differently managed and lead to different and variable interpretations. Based on the 12 last cases analysed in the laboratory and on the review of the most recent literature about this topic, updated autopsy guidelines for sampling have been proposed regarding to the samples choice and analytical challenges required by the gaseous state of this substance. Biological samples from airways (lungs lobe) followed by brain and cardiac blood are the best matrices to take during the autopsy to diagnose He exposure. Gaseous samples from trachea, pulmonary bronchi, gastric and cardiac areas are also recommended as alternative samples. The anatomical site of sampling must be carefully detailed, and to this end, forensic imaging constitutes a beneficial tool. Even if He detection is sufficient to conclude to He exposure, He concentrations in samples may be related to He exposure conditions (duration, breathing rate, etc.). A quantification in biological samples could be helpful to document more precisely the case. He concentrations in gaseous samples are reported up to 6.0 mu mol/mL (tracheal gas), 2.4 mu mol/mL (pulmonary gas), 0.64 mu mol/mL (cardiac gas) and 12 mu mol/mL (gastric gas). He concentrations in solid/liquid samples are reported up to 28 mu mol/g (lungs) and 0.03 mu mol/g (cardiac blood). The other matrices usually sampled during autopsy such as urine, peripheral blood, liver, fat matter and kidney appear as not relevant.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Varlet, Vincent UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0003-3805-4664 UNSPECIFIED Iwersen-Bergmann, S. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Alexandre, M. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Cordes, O. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Wunder, C. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Holz, F. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Andresen-Streichert, H. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Bevalot, F. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Dumestre-Toulet, V. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Malbranque, S. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Fracasso, T. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Grabherr, S. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-129731
DOI:	10.1007/s00414-019-02014-3
Journal or Publication Title:	Int. J. Legal Med.
Volume:	133
Number:	6
Page Range:	S. 1809 - 1819
Date:	2019
Publisher:	SPRINGER
Place of Publication:	NEW YORK
ISSN:	1437-1596
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language ACCURACY PROFILE VALIDATION; SUICIDAL ASPHYXIATION; TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSIS; OXYGEN DEPRIVATION; GAS EMBOLISM; INHALATION; TRENDS; DEATH; NITROGEN; BLOOD Multiple languages Medicine, Legal Multiple languages
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/12973