Validation of an analytical technique for the dosage of ethanol in biological fluids

Abstract

The widespread consumption of alcoholic beverages in modern society has impelled forensic toxicology laboratories to improve on the already high standards of the analytical techniques routinely employed by optimizing how judicially relevant samples are managed, given that it is essential to expedite the delivery time of results. According to the World Health Organization (WHO): “Total alcohol per capita consumption in the world’s population over 15 years of age rose from 5.5 litres of pure alcohol in 2005 to 6.4 litres in 2010 and was still at the level of 6.4 litres in 2016”. To that effect, the dosage of ethanol in biological fluids allows judges, through retrospective calculations, to assess the level of impairment of an individual at the time of the event, which is fundamental for its elucidation. This study proposes the validation of an analytical method that makes it possible to obtain reliable results with a brief analysis.