Publications

Authors:

Sartori, Alessandro; Tiberio, Maurizia; Gottardo, Rossella; Del Balzo, Giovanna; Vermiglio, Elisa; Raniero, Dario; De Leo, Domenico

Title:

Carbon monoxide related deaths: a verona case series. when cooperation becomes compulsory

Year:

2024

Type of item:

Articolo in Rivista

Tipologia ANVUR:

Articolo su rivista

Language:

Inglese

Format:

Elettronico

Referee:

No

Name of journal:

LEGAL MEDICINE

ISSN of journal:

1344-6223

N° Volume:

67

Page numbers:

1-3

Keyword:

Carbon monoxide; Carboxyhaemoglobin; Death; Retrospective study; Multidisciplinary approach

Short description of contents:

Introduction: Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a significant concern in forensic medicine, as it often presents unique challenges in terms of diagnosis, investigation, and determination of the cause of death. CO is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas that can be lethal when inhaled in high concentrations. It binds strongly to haemoglobin, forming carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb), which reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, leading to tissue hypoxia and ultimately death. Materials and methods: Circumstantial data, medical history information, autopsy findings, and toxicological analysis results related to 24 CO poisoning cases at the Institute of Legal Medicine in Verona were collected and analysed. The data were examined in an integrated manner to identify correlations and common patterns. A comparison was also made with the data available in the literature. Results: The male gender was confirmed to be the most frequently involved. COHb levels were found to be less than 50% in 6 cases. Three individuals had concurrent cardiovascular pathologies, while 11 subjects tested positive for various substances, including alcohol, benzodiazepines, and morphine. In most cases, the manner of fatal intoxication was accidental, although 6 suicides and 1 homicide are reported. Conclusions: The Verona case series demonstrates that deaths due to CO poisoning require a multidisciplinary approach. The integration of diverse expertise is essential for assessing the manner of death. This approach enables a comprehensive evaluation of the available data, aids in distinguishing between accidental, suicidal, and homicidal deaths, and ensures accurate and reliable forensic conclusions.

Note:

Epub 2023 Dec 22

Product ID:

136831

Handle IRIS:

11562/1116307

Last Modified:

May 4, 2024

Bibliographic citation:

Sartori, Alessandro; Tiberio, Maurizia; Gottardo, Rossella; Del Balzo, Giovanna; Vermiglio, Elisa; Raniero, Dario; De Leo, Domenico, Carbon monoxide related deaths: a verona case series. when cooperation becomes compulsory «LEGAL MEDICINE» , vol. 67 , 2024 , pp. 1-3

Consulta la scheda completa presente nel repository istituzionale della Ricerca di Ateneo