Blood Alcohol Concentration Determined from Urine Samples as a Practical Equivalent or Alternative to Blood and Breath Alcohol Tests

Biasotti, Alfred A.; Valentine, Thomas E.

doi:10.1520/jfs10981j

Cited by 29 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Results of many studies have shown that microorganisms as found in our tested samples can cause glucose to ethanol conversion. 4,7,12–14 So it is important to recognize that ethanol is formed as a result of the microorganisms’ action, not drinking an alcoholic beverage. Also, it is important to correctly interpret the urine ethanol concentration, especially if the blood sample was not taken.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbial ethanol production in postmortem urine sample

et al. 2013

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We present a case in which postmortem blood ethanol concentration was 0.02 g/kg and acetone concentration was 0.51 g/kg, while urine ethanol concentration was 6.0 g/kg and acetone concentration was 0.63 g/kg. In the urine sample, sodium fluoride was not added. The urinary ethanol concentration continued to increase without any remarkable increase of isopropanol concentration and external contamination was excluded. Species of bacteria and yeasts, including Candida glabrata, were isolated from urine and blood samples. A few days after the collection of samples, we received the information that the patient was diabetic and did not receive insulin therapy regularly. To prevent postmortem microbial ethanol production and incorrect diagnosis of the cause of death, it is necessary to add sodium fluoride to blood and urine samples collected from diabetic patients.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbial ethanol production in postmortem urine sample

et al. 2013

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“…In forensic settings there is an extremely wide range of UAC:vBAC ratios from 0.7 to 21.0:1 with a mean of 1.6:1 [11]. Another study showed a UAC to vBAC conversion factor of 1.3:1 [36]. Maximum urine alcohol concentrations were found 2 h after ingestion of a single dose of alcohol [16].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Blood alcohol concentration for monitoring ethanol treatment to prevent alcohol withdrawal in the intensive care unit

Eggers

Tio

Neumann

et al. 2002

Intensive Care Medicine

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“…This practice stands in contrast to UK and several US states where urine samples are an option for those who do not want to provide a specimen of blood. However, a special collection strategy has been developed whereby the bladder is first emptied and a fresh urine sample is collected about 30-60 minutes later (Biasotti and Valentine 1985). The concentration in this second void ic ompared with the statutory concentration limit for alcohol in urine which is 107 mg/dL in UK (Walls and Brownlie, 1985).…”

Section: Principles Of Urine Production and Storage In The Bladdermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This UAC is taken to be equivalent to a BAC of 80 mg/dL (UACfBAC = 1.33:1). The initial void empties the bladder of any 'old urine' that might reflect the BAC existing several hours earlier, or at least since the previous urination (Biasotti and Valentine, 1985).…”

Section: Principles Of Urine Production and Storage In The Bladdermentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating Alleged Drinking after Driving — The Hip-Flask Defence

Iffland

Jones²

2002

Med Sci Law

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This two-part article examines the strengths and weaknesses of various ways of investigating claims of drinking alcohol after driving, commonly known as the hip-flask or glove-compartment defence. In many countries the onus of proof in hip-flask cases rests on the prosecution. With good co-operation from the police and timely sampling of body fluids, such as blood and urine for forensic analysis of ethanol, useful evidence can be mustered to support or challenge the truthfulness of alleged drinking after driving. The person's blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) can be compared with values expected on the basis of the amount of alcohol consumed after driving, according to theoretical Widmark calculations. The actual BAC measured is then adjusted for the additional amount of alcohol consumed in the after-drink. Double blood samples, that is, taking two specimens of venous blood about 30-60 minutes apart and looking at the magnitude and direction of change in BAC provides little or no more information than a single blood specimen. However, the relationship between alcohol in blood and urine is very useful in hip-flask cases whereby the concentration expected in the primary urine is compared with the concentration in the bladder urine voided. The concentration of alcohol determined in a second urine sample collected 30-60 min later gives supporting evidence in hip-flask cases. A graphical method, which entails plotting ethanol concentrations in blood and urine as a function of time provides a robust and practical way to investigate hip-flask defences. In the second part of the review, congener analysis is presented, which entails comparing the concentrations of n-propanol, isobutanol and occasionally other congeners in the alcoholic beverage allegedly consumed after driving with the volatiles present in the suspect's blood and urine determined by headspace gas chromatography.

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Blood Alcohol Concentration Determined from Urine Samples as a Practical Equivalent or Alternative to Blood and Breath Alcohol Tests

Cited by 29 publications

References 18 publications

Microbial ethanol production in postmortem urine sample

Microbial ethanol production in postmortem urine sample

Blood alcohol concentration for monitoring ethanol treatment to prevent alcohol withdrawal in the intensive care unit

Evaluating Alleged Drinking after Driving — The Hip-Flask Defence

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