Alcohol analysis in various matrixes: Clinical versus forensic testing

Ethanol is the most widely used and abused recreational substance. Unfortunately, ingestion of excess amount is considered socially acceptable that can result in numerous adverse consequences. The adverse health effects of long-term chronic ethanol use have been documented extensively. However, even occasional users are not immune from adverse consequences. The social and legal implications of public intoxication or driving while impaired are well known. In addition, postmortem analysis of ethanol plays an important part in determining the role that ethanol may have played in the cause of death. Accurate measurement of ethanol concentrations from a wide variety of body fluids is critical for proper enforcement of laws that determine the role, if any, that ethanol may have played.