[Putrefaction-induced changes in the concentration and temporal detectibility of carbon monoxide in cadaveric blood samples].

Eighty-five blood samples with COHb concentrations of 40% and 70% were allowed to putrefy in order to measure the time-dependent changes in COHb values. The samples not hermetically closed had been stored at 6 degrees C and 20 degrees C. GC and photometric methods were applied. Two graphs show that after 15 days (40% COHb) and after 30 days (70% COHb), the COHb concentrations decreased to half at 20 degrees C. Corresponding decreases at a storage at 6 degrees C could be observed after 1 year. Further investigations excluded the formation of new CO.