Distribution of ether in two postmortem cases.
Diethyl ether (ether) is a volatile liquid that was used in the 1800s as an anesthetic agent; however, it is no longer used for this purpose, partly because of its odor and flammability. Two postmortem cases in which ether was detected are presented. The first case was an 18-year-old male found hanging from a basement ceiling brace in a semi-sitting position with a gas mask covering his face. A container of Prestone starting fluid and a bong were found on the floor close to the body. The second case was a 20-year-old male found unresponsive in his dormitory room with two black plastic trash bags secured over his head. Two saturated rags and a resealable bag containing a clear liquid were contained within these trash bags. An almost empty can of Tradco starting fluid was also found at the scene. Ether concentrations were determined by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the selective ion monitoring mode. In case #1, the medical examiner ruled that the cause of death was asphyxia due to hanging; the manner of death was undetermined. In case #2, the medical examiner ruled that the cause of death was asphyxia and the manner of death was suicide.
Cox
Dawn
D
Division of Forensic Toxicology, Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner, 1413 Research Blvd., Bldg. 102, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA.
DeRienz
Rebecca
R
Jufer Phipps
Rebecca A
RA
Levine
Barry
B
Jacobs
Aaron
A
Fowler
David
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000473:pathology; D004986:Ether / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000506:poisoning*; D053593:Forensic Toxicology / Q000379:methods*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011041:Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods; D013405:Suicide
D004986:Ether