Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Abstract

MEDICOLEGAL problems arise when carbon monoxide is responsible for death. The cause of death may be conclusively established if the amount of carbon monoxide in the blood is determined, and if this amount exceeds certain limits. Once death has been discovered to be due to carbon monoxide, establishing whether it is accidental, suicidal or homicidal is often very difficult. The source of the carbon monoxide must be ascertained by competent investigators, not only to document the specific cause of death but, even more important, to cause the condition to be remedied to prevent further casualties from the same source. Every . . .