Toxicology Report:
A toxicology report has revealed that Liam Payne had a blood alcohol (ethanol) concentration of 270 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood (270mg%) at the time of his death (in addition to the presence of metabolites of cocaine and the prescribed anti-depressant, Sertraline).
In this blog, a Bericon Forensics expert will discuss the effects of different blood alcohol concentrations.
Bericon’s Expert Comments:
In many criminal investigations, living individuals often state that they have experienced a degree of impairment through drug and/or alcohol usage. To assess any possible effects, it is of the utmost importance to conduct a toxicology test, whereby scientists analyse a sample of blood, urine, hair, organ, or tissue.
The collection of a blood sample usually makes data interpretation somewhat more straightforward given that blood accurately reflects a person’s level of drug intoxication at a particular point in time. This is especially useful when the individual has, for example, either died or being sampled shortly after any incident.
In relation to alcohol, persons, especially young ones unused to drink, may show marked effects of alcohol at concentration below 100mg% or even below 50mg%. However, persons well habituated to alcohol will, correspondingly, show much less effect at any given level. In particular, people with an alcohol use disorder, may show few outward effects at blood alcohol concentrations at which the occasional drinker would be comatose. Indeed, there have been cases of people appearing passably sober with levels around 300mg%.
It is possible to offer a commentary on the likely effects of a given blood alcohol concentration, but it is most likely that the symptoms listed below will overlap. However, in general terms, they will increase in severity as the blood alcohol concentration rises.
In many cases, the preferred scientific position would be that an individual’s blood alcohol concentration was either extremely low or extremely high. This would enable more specific comment to be made on the likely effects of alcohol. Blood alcohol concentrations within these extremes are likely to produce overlapping or ill-defined effects on a given individual.
The following information relates to an individual’s blood alcohol concentration in mg%. For reference the statutory drink drive limit is 80mg%.
In general terms:
0 – 50mg% – Usually no obvious outward effects but the individual will experience feelings of relaxation and well-being, increased sociability.
50 – 100mg% – Increased self-confidence and talkativeness, mild euphoria, reduced co-ordination and slightly slowed reactions.
100 – 150mg% – Impaired balance, thickened speech, clumsiness, reduced alertness, lowered social reserve.
150 – 200mg% – Drunkenness, slurred speech, glazed eyes, flushed complexion, staggered gait, drowsiness, exaggerated emotional Responses, impaired co-ordination, reduced inhibitions, dizziness, nausea, disorientation.
200 – 250mg% – Marked or heavy drunkenness, confusion, grossly impaired co-ordination, vomiting, reduced awareness, short-term memory may be impaired.
250 – 300mg% – Extreme drunkenness, stupor, impaired consciousness, reduced reflexes, depressed respiration, incontinence.
300 – 400mg% – Unconsciousness, absence of reflexes, coma.
Above 400mg% – Possible death by respiratory depression or cardiac arrest.
At Bericon Forensics, our team of experienced forensic experts are ready to support you with professional and detailed forensic services. Contact us today at 01782 394929 or email enquiries@bericon.co.uk for a consultation.
