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A Carbon Dioxide Fatality from Dry Ice
Author(s) -
Srisont Smith,
Chirachariyavej Thamrong,
Peonim A. V. M. Vichan
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.01057.x
Subject(s) - dry ice , sublimation (psychology) , carbon dioxide , near drowning , autopsy , medicine , poison control , injury prevention , medical emergency , chemistry , meteorology , pathology , geography , psychology , organic chemistry , psychotherapist
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 × 1 × 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.