title: Multiple homicides as a result of chloroform poisoning: case report and experimental study.
abstract: Two cases (involving five murder victims) of multiple homicide by inhalational chloroform intoxication are reported. In the discussion of the findings the valence of toxicological analyses is underlined with regard to the possibility of forcible external suffocation due to occlusion of the respiratory orifices by means of a chloroform-soaked soft covering. In addition storage experiments were performed at +4, +20 and -20 degrees C with cadaver blood mixed with chloroform. The optimal solution for avoiding volatile losses was stored in glass tubes with ground glass stoppers. In cases of unclear death in which involvement of volatile substances is suspected it is, therefore, advisable to preserve an additional blood sample at -20 degrees C in glass tubes that are only opened for the analysis of volatile substances.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Frankfurter Strasse 58, D-35392 Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Risse
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Erdmann
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schütz
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Weiler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002725:Chloroform / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006708:Homicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D012997:Solvents / Q000506:poisoning*; D013997:Time Factors; D014021:Tissue Preservation
chemical_list: D012997:Solvents; D002725:Chloroform