A carbon dioxide fatality from dry ice.
This report documents a rare case of carbon dioxide intoxication in a young healthy male. The deceased hid in a small plastic container, size 1.5 x 1 x 1 m, and within 5 min he was located suffering convulsions and was reported as dead within minutes. Scene investigation revealed dry ice in the container. Autopsy findings were unremarkable. The probable cause of the convulsions was carbon dioxide intoxication due to both the dry ice sublimation and the small confined space in which he was hiding. This report emphasizes the significance of scene investigation in establishing the cause of the death.
Srisont
Smith
S
Forensic Division, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, 270 Rama VI Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand. Smithfa118@yahoo.com
Chirachariyavej
Thamrong
T
Peonim
A V M Vichan
AV
D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D020378:Confined Spaces; D004367:Dry Ice / Q000009:adverse effects*; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult
D004367:Dry Ice