Blood alcohol levels in the case of an Englishman who died after consuming 10 pints and between eight and 10 shots of spirits while celebrating his birthday in Co Tipperary could have become elevated after his death, a trial was told yesterday.
Two bar staff are on trial for his manslaughter.
Former clinical director at the National Poisons Information Centre, Dr Joseph Treacy, said blood alcohol levels at the time of Graham Parish’s postmortem were not a definitive diagnostic tool as they could vary greatly depending on a number of factors.
Dr Treacy said variations depended on how soon after certification of death that a postmortem was conducted. He said putrefaction after death could lead to generation of alcohol and changes in blood alcohol levels.
Source: Barry Roche, The Irish Times, 11/05/2011
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