Alcohol in a series of medico-legally autopsied deaths in northern Norway 1973–1992

Abstract

It is well established that use of alcohol increases the risk of fatal injuries. The presence of blood alcohol in autopsied deaths is regularly encountered in medico-legal practices. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and concentration of alcohol in 1539 medico-legal autopsies in two counties in northern Norway in the period 1973–1992, and the reporting of acute alcohol influence among these deaths to the official cause-of-death statistics. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) ≥0.5‰ (50 mg/100 ml) was found in 47.6% ( n=456) of violent deaths tested, and in 93% ( n=426) of these the BAC was ≥1.0‰. In 17.4% ( n=55) of tested natural deaths the BAC was ≥0.5‰. Acute alcohol-influenced violent deaths were under-reported to the cause-of-death statistics. Deaths by motor vehicle traffic accidents did not differ from other violent deaths in this respect. The under-reporting among violent deaths was 41% in cases with BAC ≥0.5‰ and 37% where the BAC was ≥1.0‰ during the whole period. It is concluded that post-mortem BAC ≥0.5‰, should be regarded as a possible contributory cause in all violent deaths, and reported accordingly.