Artigo Original
VITREOUS HUMOR IN POST-MORTEM ETHANOL DETECTION: COLLECTION AND STORAGE RECOMMENDATIONS
Como citar: Souza EMCD, Paz APSD, Junior LBBN, Mello VJD. Humor vítreo na detecção de etanol post-mortem: recomendações de coleta e armazenamento. Persp Med Legal Pericia Med. Vol. 10, 2025; 251258.
https://dx.doi.org/10.47005/251258
Recebido em 15/12/2025
Aceito em 30/12/2025
The authors report no conflict of interest.
VITREOUS HUMOR IN POST-MORTEM ETHANOL DETECTION: COLLECTION AND STORAGE RECOMMENDATIONS
Resumo
INTRODUÇÃO: O humor vítreo (HV) é uma matriz muito importante na detecção de etanol em investigações forenses post-mortem, devido à sua resistência à putrefação, menor risco de contaminação e facilidade de coleta, sendo uma alternativa valiosa quando sangue e/ou urina não estão disponíveis ou estão degradados. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Com o objetivo de realizar uma revisão sistemática de literatura a fim de estabelecer recomendações para coleta e armazenamento do humor vítreo na pesquisa forense de etanol, foi realizada uma revisão sistemática utilizando as bases de dados Scopus, Web of Science e PubMed, nas buscas por artigos científicos originais, em inglês, publicados nos últimos dez anos e disponíveis na íntegra. RESULTADOS: Após triagem, 13 artigos foram selecionados para análise detalhada. Os estudos destacam que o HV, junto a biomarcadores como EtG e EtS, permite diferenciar o consumo de álcool antes da morte da produção pós-morte. Recomenda-se coleta por punção escleral, adição de fluoreto de sódio (1-2%) e armazenamento em recipientes herméticos a temperaturas inferiores a -20 °C. Para análise de compostos voláteis, a detecção deve ocorrer até 24 h após a coleta. DISCUSSÃO: O HV é menos suscetível a alterações pós-morte e, em casos de diabetes ou decomposição avançada, é a matriz preferencial para análise de EtG e EtS. Fatores como intervalo post-mortem, temperatura e condições ambientais influenciam os resultados, sendo essenciais para garantir a confiabilidade das análises. CONCLUSÃO: A coleta de HV deve ser rotina em exames forenses, pois permite avaliação precisa do consumo de etanol ante-mortem e da neoformação etílica, contribuindo para investigações mais seguras e reprodutíveis. Palavras-chave: Álcool, Biomarcadores, Necrópsia.
Palavras Chave: Álcool, Biomarcadores, Necrópsia.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Vitreous humor (VH) is a very important matrix in the detection of ethanol in post-mortem forensic investigations, due to its resistance to putrefaction, lower risk of contamination, and ease of collection, being a valuable alternative when blood and/or urine are unavailable or degraded. MATERIAL AND METHOD: To conduct a systematic literature review to establish recommendations for the collection and storage of vitreous humor in forensic ethanol research, a systematic review was carried out using the Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases, searching for original scientific articles in English, published in the last ten years, and available in full. RESULTS: After screening, 13 articles were selected for detailed analysis. The studies highlight that VH, along with biomarkers such as EtG and EtS, allows differentiation between alcohol consumption before death and post-mortem production. Collecting the sample by scleral puncture, adding sodium fluoride (1-2%), and storing it in airtight containers at temperatures below -20°C. For volatile compound analysis, detection should occur within 24 hours of collection. DISCUSSION: HV is less susceptible to post-mortem changes and, in cases of diabetes or advanced decomposition, is the preferred matrix for EtG and EtS analysis. Factors such as post-mortem interval, temperature, and environmental conditions influence the results, being essential to ensure the reliability of the analyses. CONCLUSION: HV collection should be routine in forensic examinations, as it allows for accurate assessment of ante-mortem ethanol consumption and ethyl neoformation, contributing to safer and more reproducible investigations.
Keywords (MeSH): Alcohol, Biomarkers, Autopsy.
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