Postmortem vitreous humor in fatal acute iron poisoning

J Forensic Sci. 1982 Oct;27(4):955-7.

Abstract

The postmortem level of iron in the vitreous humor was assayed in a case of treated fatal iron poisoning. An antemortem serum iron level was 9060 micrograms/dL and postmortem blood level was 2920 micrograms/dL. A postmortem vitreous humor specimen collected by a standard technique had an iron level of 80 micrograms/dL whereas 23 controls had a mean of 12.8 +/- 4.2 micrograms/dL (range, 6 to 21 micrograms/dL). Although this elevated value could reflect some serum contamination, it may be a reflection of the toxic state.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Death
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Iron / analysis
  • Iron / poisoning*
  • Male
  • Vitreous Body / analysis*

Substances

  • Iron