title: Toxicological findings in military aircraft fatalities from 1986-1990.
abstract: Toxicological findings in all military aircraft fatalities investigated by the Division of Forensic Toxicology at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology from 1986-1990 are presented. Carbon monoxide saturation levels greater than 10% were found in 4% of the 535 cases where appropriate specimens were collected. Positive ethanol findings were more indicative of postmortem formation than antemortem consumption. In only 1 case were abused drugs (cannabinoids in a passenger) detected. Other drugs identified included nicotine, chloroquine and over-the-counter analgesic agents, antihistamines and sympathomimetic drugs.
authors.affiliation: Division of Forensic Toxicology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC 20306-6000.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Klette
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Springate
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000060:Accidents, Aviation; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002263:Carboxyhemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000032:analysis; D000431:Ethanol / Q000032:analysis; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000032:analysis; D008889:Military Personnel; D009538:Nicotine / Q000032:analysis; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000032:analysis; D011180:Postmortem Changes; D014116:Toxicology / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D000431:Ethanol; D009538:Nicotine; D002738:Chloroquine; D002263:Carboxyhemoglobin