Accidental death by gasoline ingestion. Case report and toxicological study.

A case of death following accidental ingestion of gasoline is described. Toxicological study, carried out by gas-liquid chromatography head space technique, permitted the identification and quantification of several hydrocarbons in all the viscera and biological fluids. The mechanism of death is discussed on the basis of the anatomopathological findings and quantitative toxicological results.