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Updates of Interpretation of Ethanol Analysis Results in Postmortem Biological Specimens: A Review of Challenges, Biomarkers, and Practical Approaches in Forensic Toxicology
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Kambiz Soltaninejad *   |
| Legal Medicine Research Center, Legal Medicine Organization , kamsoltaninejad@gmail.com |
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Abstract: (7 Views) |
The analysis and interpretation of ethanol concentrations in postmortem biological specimens are among the most common and challenging tasks in forensic toxicology. Unlike clinical specimens, postmortem results may be affected by redistribution, microbial ethanol production, contamination, and sample degradation during storage, potentially leading to misinterpretation of ethanol’s origin and concentration. In recent years, interpretive approaches have evolved through the use of alternative matrices, such as vitreous humor and urine, alongside blood; the concurrent assessment of higher alcohols and volatile organic compounds; and the measurement of non-oxidative biomarkers, including ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulfate. Drawing on reliable scientific sources, this article summarizes the topic across four main areas, emphasizing recent evidence while incorporating key classic studies: factors complicating the interpretation of postmortem ethanol concentrations, the comparative value of different biological matrices, and the use of biomarkers to distinguish antemortem consumption from postmortem production. It also presents a practical, multistep approach to interpreting ethanol test results in forensic medical records. The findings indicate that postmortem ethanol results require comprehensive, multilevel assessment integrating laboratory, clinical, autopsy, death-scene, and environmental findings; no single biomarker can definitively establish the origin of ethanol in postmortem samples.
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| Keywords: Forensic toxicology, postmortem ethanol production, microbial ethanol production, biomarkers, postmortem redistribution |
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Type of Article: Review Article |
Subject:
Forensic Toxicology
Received: 2026/08/30 | Revised: 2026/10/28 | Accepted: 2026/10/28
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