title: [An unusual case of 3 fatal, accidental CO poisoning cases by re-routed ventilation].
abstract: A case of fatal carbon monoxide poisoning is presented where three members of a family, aged between 23 and 66 years, died while having dinner. After analysing the scene and evaluating the personal circumstances there was no doubt that death was due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. The fact that three persons of different ages died almost simultaneously as well as the technical reconstruction appears noteworthy to the authors. Scrutiny of the technical circumstances revealed that the waste air containing carbon monoxide was re-routed because of the oppressively hot weather conditions. The fumes from the stove heating in the living room flowed into the chimney and from there via another pipe into the kitchen oven and finally reached the atmosphere of the kitchen where the three members of the family died.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Rechtsmedizin, Universität Hamburg.
authors.forename: Heike
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Klotzbach
authors.forename: Reinhold
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ottens
authors.forename: Erwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Koops
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Püschel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001344:Autopsy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000473:pathology*; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D006361:Heating / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014691:Ventilation / Q000295:instrumentation*