Study on the effects of heat on blood and on the post-mortem estimation of carboxyhaemoglobin and methaemoglobin

Forensic Sci Int. 1989 Jan;40(1):63-7. doi: 10.1016/0379-0738(89)90168-0.

Abstract

Blood samples of different carboxyhaemoglobin (CoHb) content (0%, 50%, 100%) were analysed, after short exposure to heat, for determination of the change of CoHb and methaemoglobin (MetHb) during the succeeding 14 days. Untreated blood showed an initial increase of MetHb after heating followed by a decrease during this period. There was no formation of CoHb in the untreated blood. When CoHb was already present in the blood the amount of MetHb was smaller in amount and was formed at a slower rate. In these samples the concentration of CoHb slowly decreased.

MeSH terms

  • Burns / pathology*
  • Carboxyhemoglobin / analysis*
  • Cause of Death*
  • Humans
  • Methemoglobin / analysis*
  • Spectrophotometry

Substances

  • Methemoglobin
  • Carboxyhemoglobin