Distribution of Ether in Two Postmortem Cases

• Published in: Journal of analytical toxicology 2006-10, Vol.30 (8), p.635-637
• Main Authors: Cox, Dawn, DeRienz, Rebecca, Jufer Phipps, Rebecca A., Levine, Barry, Jacobs, Aaron, Fowler, David
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Asphyxia - pathology; Ether - analysis; Ether - pharmacokinetics; Ether - poisoning; Forensic Toxicology - methods; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Humans; Male; Poisoning - diagnosis; Poisoning - metabolism; Substance Abuse Detection - methods; Suicide
• ISSN: 0146-4760; 1945-2403
• DOI: 10.1093/jat/30.8.635

Diethyl ether (ether) is a volatile liquid that was used in the 1800s as an anesthetic agent; however, it is no longer used for this purpose, partly because of its odor and flammability. Two postmortem cases in which ether was detected are presented. The first case was an 18-year-old male found hanging from a basement ceiling brace in a semi-sitting position with a gas mask covering his face. A container of Prestone® starting fluid and a bong were found on the floor close to the body. The second case was a 20-year-old male found unresponsive in his dormitory room with two black plastic trash bags secured over his head. Two saturated rags and a resealable bag containing a clear liquid were contained within these trash bags. An almost empty can of Tradco® starting fluid was also found at the scene. Ether concentrations were determined by headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the seleclive ion monitoring mode. In case #1, the medical examiner ruled that the cause of death was asphyxia due to hanging; the manner of death was undetermined. In case #2, the medical examiner ruled that the cause of death was asphyxia and the manner of death was suicide.