Korean J Leg Med.  2016 Aug;40(3):83-87. 10.7580/kjlm.2016.40.3.83.

An Unexpected Death Related to Accidental Gasoline Inhalation

• Kim SW
• Lee YM
• Lee K
• Park JS
• Park J
• Choi BH
• Park S

• KMID: 2350696
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7580/kjlm.2016.40.3.83

Abstract

Gasoline is a chemical compound of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, and it easily vaporizes because of its volatile characteristics. Gasoline inhalation may occur accidentally or intentionally in various situations which could result in acute non-lethal or lethal intoxication. Given that gasoline is widely used in everyday life, it is surprising that deaths related to gasoline inhalation rarely occur. We presented a rare case of unexpected death related to gasoline inhalation with the postmortem findings and features.

Keyword

Gasoline; Inhalation; Sudden death; Poisoning; Autopsy; Forensic toxicology

MeSH Terms

Autopsy
Death, Sudden
Forensic Toxicology
Gasoline*
Hydrocarbons, Aromatic
Inhalation*
Intention
Poisoning
Gasoline
Hydrocarbons, Aromatic

Figure

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  Fig. 1. (A) The cover of the upper compartment of the gasoline tank is shown. (B) The gasoline tank comprised two compartments; the upper compartment was like a manhole; cylindrical, approximately 1.5 m in height and 0.7 m in diameter, and the lower compartment as a storage tank for unleaded gasoline, was bigger than the upper one.

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  Fig. 2. The mask which the deceased was wearing is shown. It seems to be a mask to prevent gas or dust, depending on what kind of filter is used.

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