Proof of fatal air embolism

Venous air embolism is a rare cause of death. Entry of gas into the circulation is caused by trauma, mostly surgical or therapeutic, and sometimes resulting from criminal intervention. The detection of air embolisms requires special precautions during autopsy. An aspirometer has to be used for the detection, measurement and storage of gas originating from the heart ventricles. The aspirometer has to be filled completely with distilled water containing two drops of Tween 80 to reduce the surface tension of the water and to prevent adherence of small air bubbles to the wall of the aspirometer. Subsequently the gas has to be analysed by gas chromatography. When the results correspond with the main criteria defined by Pierucci and Gherson [2] the diagnosis "air embolism" is justified. The technique for the detection of air embolism is simple but requires a careful procedure which is described in detail.