Objective post-mortem diagnosis of chronic alcohol abuse--a review of studies on new markers

Leg Med (Tokyo). 2008 Sep;10(5):229-35. doi: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2008.01.006. Epub 2008 Apr 1.

Abstract

Identification of chronic excessive alcohol consumption in living and deceased individuals is a fundamental task in forensic pathology. Reliable methods for post-mortem diagnosis of chronic alcohol abuse are required because morphological findings are unspecific and ante-mortem data are often unreliable. In clinical practice, several biochemical markers indirectly demonstrating chronic alcohol abuse are employed, but thus far these methods have not been used in routine post-mortem investigations. We reviewed publications in which these markers have been applied to autopsy material. Based on this review, some of these biochemical parameters are useful in post-mortem diagnostics, although further systematic research is required.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Alcoholism / metabolism*
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow / metabolism
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Esters / metabolism
  • Fatty Acids / metabolism
  • Forensic Toxicology
  • Glucuronates / metabolism
  • Glycerophospholipids / metabolism
  • Hair / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / metabolism
  • Hydroxytryptophol / metabolism
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Transferrin / analogs & derivatives
  • Transferrin / metabolism
  • Vitreous Body / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Esters
  • Fatty Acids
  • Glucuronates
  • Glycerophospholipids
  • Transferrin
  • carbohydrate-deficient transferrin
  • phosphatidylethanol
  • Hydroxytryptophol
  • ethyl glucuronide
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid