Application of hemoglobin analysis by CO-oximeter to medico-legal practice with special reference to diagnosis of asphyxia.

Abstract

Hemoglobin analysis by CO-oximeter is more easily and rapidly available method than other spectrophotometric or GC methods. In the present study, the possibility of diagnosis of asphyxia by CO-oximeter was examined experimentally using rabbits. When measured value of oxyhemoglobin (O2Hb) was lower than about 20% and that of deoxyhemoglobin (HHb) was, on the other hand, higher than about 80%, being accompanied by low measured values of both methemoglobin (MetHb) and CO-hemoglobin (COHb) (< 5%), asphyxia should be firstly considered as the cause of death. To the corpses found at the scene of fire, three chief factors causing death such as burns, suffocation due to oxygen deficiency and intoxication by poisonous gases may have occurred simultaneously, and through measuring the values of O2Hb, COHb, MetHb and HHb, the main lethal factor could be selected out among these three factors above and the cause of death could be examined much more closely. Because of easy and rapid analysis, it could be considered that CO-oximeter was useful for forensic practices and police activities.

• Authors: T Ohshima, T Takayasu, J Nishigami, Z Lin, T Kondo, T Nagano
• Journal: Nihon hoigaku zasshi = The Japanese journal of legal medicine (Nihon Hoigaku Zasshi) Vol. 46 Issue 6 Pg. 382-8 (Dec 1992) ISSN: 0047-1887 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 1303435 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Hemoglobins

Topics

• Animals
• Asphyxia (diagnosis)
• Forensic Medicine
• Hemoglobins (analysis)
• Oximetry (methods)
• Rabbits