O álcool é uma das substâncias psicoativas mais consumidas pela sociedade por ser de uso lícito, amplamente disponível e de baixo custo. Já foi bem estabelecido que o uso nocivo de álcool está intimamente relacionado com a violência, acarretando um número elevado de doenças relacionadas ao seu consumo, bem como com mortes violentas especialmente entre jovens. São várias as evidências científicas de sua participação nos homicídios, suicídios, violência doméstica, crimes sexuais, atropelamentos e acidentes envolvendo motoristas alcoolizados. Apesar de que esforços têm sido bem-sucedidos na redução do número de mortes atribuíveis ao álcool em vários países, lesões atribuídas ao álcool continuam sendo um problema de saúde pública. No Brasil, apesar de apresentar números expressivos de mortes violentas, ainda são poucos os estudos para nortear decisões governamentais e políticas públicas voltadas ao problema. Assim sendo, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a prevalência do uso de álcool entre vítimas de morte violenta na cidade de São Paulo, através da dosagem de álcool no sangue. Foram coletadas amostras de 369 vitimas de morte violenta necropsiadas no Instituto Médico Legal do Estado de São Paulo (IML-SP). A dosagem alcoólica foi feita por cromatografia gasosa com técnica de separação por headspace. Os resultados mostram que 34.7% das vítimas haviam consumido álcool. Da amostra total 36.2% dos homens e 27.7% das mulheres haviam consumido álcool. A alcoolemia média foi 1,004 g/L nos homens e 0,767 g/L para as mulheres. Foram feitas associações entre a prevalência e a alcoolemia apresentada para homicídio, atropelamento e acidente de trânsito e diferentes causas de morte, como atropelamento, colisão, enforcamento, intoxicação, ferimentos por arma branca ou de fogo). Discute-se a aplicação desses resultados epidemiológicos para nortear a implantação de políticas públicas de prevenção / Alcohol is one of the psychoactive substances most consumed by society as it is of lawful use, widely available and inexpensive. It has been well established that the harmful use of alcohol is closely related to violence, leading to a high number of diseases related to its use, as well as violent deaths, especially among young people. There are several scientific evidences of its participation in homicides, suicides, domestic violence, sexual crimes, run-over incidents and accidents involving alcoholic drivers. Alcohol-related injuries remain a major public health problem. In Brazil, despite its significant numbers of violent deaths, there are still few studies to guide government decisions and public policies focused on the problem. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of alcohol use among victims of violent death in the country\'s largest metropolis, the city of São Paulo, by the measurement of alcohol in the blood. Samples were collected from 369 victims of necropsied violent death victims at the Legal Medical Institute of the State of São Paulo (IML-SP). The alcoholic dosage was obtained by gas chromatography with headspace separation technique. Demographic data of the victims were obtained as well as data related to the circumstances of the deaths. The results show that 34.7% of the victims had consumed alcohol. Of the total sample, 36.2% of the men and 27.7% of the women had consumed alcohol. The alcoholic dosage was, on average1,004 g/L in men e 0,767 g/L for women. Associations were tested between the blood alcoholic concentration and the type of injury (homicide, suicide, traffic-related) and methods that caused the injury like firearms, vehicle crash, hanging, intoxication, sharp weapons or other presented by the victims. We discuss the application of these epidemiological results to guide the implementation of public policies to prevent violence

<p>Određivanje koncentracije etanola u telesnim tečnostima, pre svega u krvi, neophodan je uslov da bi se ustanovio uticaj alkoholemije na psihomotorne sposobnosti. Poznavanje stabilnosti lekova, droga i metabolita u biolo&scaron;kim uzorcima je od ključne važnosti kada se ukaže potreba za ponovljenom analizom i evaluacijom rezultata u sudskom postupku. Osnovni ciljevi ovog rada su da se uz pomoć HS-GC metode (hedspejs gasna hromatografija) ustanovi da li postoji statistički značajna promena koncentracije etanola u uzorcima krvi dobijenih od živih osoba i u biolo&scaron;kim uzorcima uzorcima sa autopsijskog materijala. Na osnovu rezultata potrebno je bilo utvrditi u kojem tipu uzorka uzetog sa le&scaron;nog materijala postoji najmanja promena koncentracije tokom perioda čuvanja uzorka. Istraživanje je bilo otvoreno, randomizirano i prospektivnog tipa. Biolo&scaron;ki uzorci krvi krvi živih osoba i le&scaron;nog materijala (krv, mokraća i staklasto telo) uzimani su metodom slučajnog izbora, u rasponu alkoholemije od 0,1 mg/ml do 5 mg/ml. Nakon inicijalne dvostruke analize, jedan biolo&scaron;ki uzorak čuvan je u trajanju od 180 dana, dok je drugi otvaran i analiziran nakon 60, 120 i 180 dana. Ukupan broj analiza alkoholemije u krvi živih osoba iznosio je 500. Ukupan broj analiza koncentracije etanola u krvi, mokraći i staklastom telu sa le&scaron;eva iznosio je 360. Etanol je u uzorcima krvi živih osoba, kao i u biolo&scaron;kim uzorcima sa autopsijskog materijala određivan metodom HS GC. Tokom čuvanja biolo&scaron;kih uzoraka u periodu od &scaron;est meseci ustanovljeno je da je do&scaron;lo do značajnog smanjenja koncentracije etanola u svim analiziranim uzorcima, nezavisno od njegovog porekla. Promena koncentracije etanola tokom čuvanja u zavisnosti je od tkivne vrste uzorka, inicijalne alkoholemije, dužine čuvanja, integriteta vijala i čepova, temperature, odnosa tečne i gasne faze, prisustva konzervansa i potencijalnog intermitentnog otvaranja radi analiza.</p> / <p>Determination of ethanol concentration in body fluids, especially blood, is a necessary objective to establish the influence of alcohol on psychomotor skills. Knowing the stability of medicines, drugs and metabolites in biological samples is of crucial importance when there is a need for repeated analysis and result evaluation in court. The main objectives of this work were to determine whether there was a statistically significant change in ethanol concentration in blood samples obtained from living subjects and from autopsy material, by using HS-GC method (headspace gas chromatography). Based on the results it was necessary to determine which type of sample collected from autopsy showed the lowest change in concentration during the storage period. The study was open, randomized and prospective. Biological samples of living person&#39;s blood and autopsy biological samples (blood, urine and the vitreous humor) were taken at random, in the level range between 0.1 mg/ml and 5 mg/ml. After an initial duplicate analysis, one biological sample was stored for a period of 180 days, while the other was opened and analyzed after 60, 120 and 180 days. Total number of analysis of living person&#39;s blood samples was 500. The total number of analysis of autopsy biological samples was 360. All concentrations were determined by HS-GC method. During the storage, results showed that there has been a significant decrease in the concentration of ethanol in all of the analyzed samples, regardless of its origin. The level of this change was dependent on the type of tissue sample, initial alcohol concentration, duration of storage, integrity of the vials and stoppers, temperature, ratio of liquid and gas phases, presence of preservatives and intermittent opening for analysis.</p>

Objective: To verify the frequency of alcoholic ingestion in victims of external causes at the Hospital of Clinics from Uberlândia. Methods: Blood alcohol content was determined in 85 patients of emergency room (ER). A total of 301 in-patients were interviewed on alcoholic ingestion prior to incidents. All ER and in-patients were submitted to the CAGE questionnaire. Also, 50 alcoholic patients and 50 no alcoholics attended at ambulatory level were interviewed on trauma antecedents. Results: Blood alcohol content was positive in 31.8% ER patients (85.2% were men and 70.4% required internment; p<0.05) and it was more frequent (p<0.05) in physical aggression (57.2%) than fall (15.4%) victims, but not compared to traffic victims (29.3%). Among in-patients, 29.9% had positive history of alcoholic ingestion and physical aggressions (68.9%) were more frequent (p<0.01) than traffic accidents (27.4%) or falls (15.2%). Among ER patients with positive blood alcohol content and drinker in-patients, the occurrence of incidents was higher (p<0.05) in the weekend (62.9% and 57,8%, respectively) and the night period (59.2% and 63.4%, respectively), with positive CAGE in 81.5% ER patients and 82.3% in-patients. At ambulatory level, 93.1% alcoholic patients reported trauma antecedents related to alcoholic ingestion compared to 9.1% no alcoholics (p<0.01). Conclusions: A third of patient s ingested alcoholic drinks prior to incidents, and among them, the most were chronic alcoholics. Incidents were more frequent in the weekends and the night period, with lesions more severe. Among the ambulatory patients, the alcoholics were the most frequently injured. / Objetivos: Verificar a freqüência de ingestão alcoólica em vítimas de causas externas atendidos no Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. Métodos: Determinou-se alcoolemia em 85 pacientes no pronto socorro (PS) (TDx/TDxFLx-Etanol, Abbott) e entrevistou-se 301 internados sobre possível ingestão alcoólica previamente ao trauma; em ambos os locais aplicou-se o questionário CAGE. Nos ambulatórios, entrevistou-se cinquenta pacientes etilistas e cinquenta não etilistas sobre antecedentes de trauma. Resultados: A alcoolemia foi positiva em 31,8% dos pacientes no PS, destes 85,2% eram homens e 70,4% necessitaram internação (p<0,05). Proporcionalmente, alcoolemia positiva foi mais freqüente (p<0,05) entre as vítimas de agressão física (57,2%) do que as de queda (15,4%), mas não do que as de trânsito (29,3%). Nas enfermarias, 29,9% dos pacientes tinham história positiva de ingestão alcoólica, e nestes, a agressão física (68,9%) foi proporcionalmente mais freqüente (p<0,01) do que acidente de trânsito (27,4%) ou queda (15,2%). Entre os que tinham bebido, no PS e enfermarias, respectivamente, a ocorrência de incidentes foi maior (p<0,05) no final de semana (62,9 e 57,8%) e no período noturno (59,2% e 63,4%) e o CAGE foi positivo em 81,5% e 82,3%. Nos ambulatórios, 93,1% dos alcoolistas e 9,1% no grupo controle (p<0,01) relataram antecedentes de trauma relacionado à ingestão alcoólica. Conclusões: Um terço dos pacientes ingeriram bebidas alcoólicas previamente ao trauma e, entre eles, a maioria era etilista crônico, os incidentes foram mais freqüentes nos finais de semana, no período noturno e as lesões foram mais graves. Entre os pacientes dos ambulatórios, os etilistas se acidentaram mais freqüentemente. / Mestre em Ciências da Saúde

L'objectif de notre thèse est d'évaluer le rôle de l'alcool et autres substances psychoactives dans la survenue et la gravité des traumatismes dus aux Accidents de la Voie Publique (AVP) en Côte d'Ivoire. Nous avons initié un recueil de données sur 893 victimes tuées ou blessées suite à un AVP, et admises aux urgences ou à l'Institut de Médecine Légale d'Abidjan. Ces données hospitalières ont été couplées aux données policières et aux résultats d'analyses toxicologiques. La méthode de dosage de l'alcoolémie par CPG-FID a démontré qu'elle répond parfaitement aux critères de performances analytiques recommandés en termes de fidélité, d'exactitude, de linéarité, de stabilité et de limite de quantification. Les niveaux d'alcoolémie chez les victimes au moment de l'AVP, sont élevés et compatibles avec un profil d'alcoolisation excessive. Plus de 75% des conducteurs alcoolisés ont une alcoolémie supérieure à 1g/L. Les prévalences d'alcoolémie au-delà de 0,8g/L sont de 41% chez les conducteurs de véhicules légers 4 roues, 35% chez les 2-roues, 17% chez les piétons et 13% chez les passagers. L'usage des autres substances psychoactives est moins fréquent chez les victimes (11%) et souvent associé à une alcoolémie supérieure à 0,8g/L. L'évaluation du risque de blessures graves (NISS9+) en fonction du degré d'alcoolisation suggère que les victimes avec une alcoolémie modérée ont un risque de blessures graves plus élevé en comparaison avec les victimes sobres (OR = 7,7; IC95% : 2,5-24,2). Au terme de cette thèse, nous proposons une procédure fiable de dosage de l'alcoolémie chez les victimes d'AVP et des mesures concrètes pour la prévention des traumatismes par AVP en Côte d'Ivoire / We implemented a data collecting process including 893 victims who died or were injured following a RTA, and were admitted to the Emergency Room or to the Forensic Institute in Abidjan. This hospital-based data was linked with police data and toxicological testing. The method developed in our laboratory for blood alcohol determination using GC-FID demonstrated a good compliance with analytical performance requirements in terms of repeatability, accuracy, linearity, stability and limit of quantification. Blood alcohol levels found in victims at the time of the RTA were compatible with an excessive alcohol intake. More than 75% of drivers with a positive alcohol test had a blood alcohol concentration greater than 1g/L. Prevalence of alcohol above 0.8g/L reaches 41% in light four-wheel drivers, 35% in two-wheel riders, 17% in pedestrian and 13% in passengers. The prevalence of psychoactive drugs was lower (11%) compared to alcohol and usually associated with blood alcohol level greater than 0.8g/L. The assessment of the risk of serious injury (NISS9+) associated to the level of blood alcohol content suggest that victims showing a moderate blood alcohol level are more at risk to sustain serious injury compared to sober victims (OR = 7.7; IC95% : 2.5 – 24.2). In conclusion, we make some practical proposals to strengthen and for facilitating the application of the current law concerning driving under the influence of alcohol. We also make recommendations for prevention of road traffic injuries in the Ivory Coast

The research attempts to evaluate the maintaining of the chain of evidence as a process of effective collection, handling and preservation of evidence. The concept "chain of evidence" refers to the process of collecting, handling and preservation of evidence until its presentation in court, as part of the investigation process. Evidence is anything that tends logically to prove or disprove a fact at issue in a judicial case. Evidence essentially consists of oral evidence, documentary evidence and real evidence. The value of evidence cannot be underestimated as evidence can make or break a case. It is therefore important that evidence is correctly and properly collected, handled and preserved to establish a strong link between an individual and a specific act. / Police Practice / Thesis ((M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation) Police Practice))

The research attempts to evaluate the maintaining of the chain of evidence as a process of effective collection, handling and preservation of evidence. The concept "chain of evidence" refers to the process of collecting, handling and preservation of evidence until its presentation in court, as part of the investigation process. Evidence is anything that tends logically to prove or disprove a fact at issue in a judicial case. Evidence essentially consists of oral evidence, documentary evidence and real evidence. The value of evidence cannot be underestimated as evidence can make or break a case. It is therefore important that evidence is correctly and properly collected, handled and preserved to establish a strong link between an individual and a specific act. / Police Practice / Thesis ((M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation) Police Practice))