Bańka Krzysztof, Teresiński Grzegorz, Buszewicz Grzegorz
Chair and Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland.
Chair and Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland.
Forensic Sci Int. 2014 Jan;234:79-85. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.10.028. Epub 2013 Oct 31.
The possibilities of using morphological markers of fatal hypothermia are limited; therefore, other diagnostic criteria of deaths from hypothermia are being researched. The initiation of protective mechanisms against adverse effects of low temperatures results in activation of hormonal systems and development of characteristic biochemical changes that can be impaired by alcohol intoxication. The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of determinations of the profile of free fatty acid concentrations as potential markers of hypothermia-related deaths, particularly in intoxicated victims. The study group consisted of blood samples collected during autopsies of 23 victims of hypothermia. The control group included blood samples collected from 34 victims of sudden, violent deaths at the scene of an incident (hangings and traffic accidents) and 10 victims who died because of post-traumatic subdural hematomas with prolonged agony. The study and control groups were divided into three subgroups according to blood alcohol concentrations: 0.0-0.99; 1.0-2.99 and ≥3.0‰. Statistical analysis in the individual subgroups demonstrated significant increases in concentrations of palmitic, stearic and oleic acids (P<0.05), independent of blood ethanol concentration. Palmitic, stearic and oleic acids can be considered the potential markers of fatal hypothermia, including the cases of intoxicated individuals.
利用低温致死形态学标记的可能性有限；因此，正在研究低温致死的其他诊断标准。针对低温不利影响的保护机制启动会导致激素系统激活以及特征性生化变化的出现，而酒精中毒可能会损害这些变化。本研究的目的是评估游离脂肪酸浓度谱测定作为低温相关死亡潜在标记的有用性，尤其是在中毒受害者中。研究组由23例低温受害者尸检时采集的血样组成。对照组包括从34例在事故现场突然暴力死亡（上吊和交通事故）的受害者以及10例因创伤后硬膜下血肿伴长时间痛苦而死亡的受害者采集的血样。根据血酒精浓度，研究组和对照组分为三个亚组：0.0 - 0.99；1.0 - 2.99和≥3.0‰。各亚组的统计分析表明，棕榈酸、硬脂酸和油酸浓度显著升高（P<0.05），与血乙醇浓度无关。棕榈酸、硬脂酸和油酸可被视为低温致死的潜在标记，包括中毒个体的情况。
