The effect of preservative and temperature on blood alcohol concentration during storage period

Abstract

Determination of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) on ante mortem and post mortem samples is often performed in forensic laboratory. BAC determination has been common task in forensic laboratory due to rising accident cases due to driving under influence of alcohol. Earlier researchers have proven that factors such as preservative, storage temperature and storage period affect the blood alcohol stability and BAC determination. Apparently, no regulation governs these factors in BAC determination. Therefore, this study is performed to address the effect of preservative, temperature and storage days on BAC level. A blood specimen of ante and post mortem samples with preservative and non preservative in two different conditions (chilled temperature, 4-7oC and room temperature, 24-26.9oC) has been examined. The analysis was carried out on 1st day, 7th day and 14th day of blood sample received. The blood samples have been diluted with an aqueous internal standard solution of n-propanol and analyzed using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID). The analysis showed that the temperature and preservative have no effect on BAC of ante mortem and post mortem blood samples and blood alcohol analysis can be performed within 21 days.