Ethanol in intracerebral clot. Report of two homicidal cases with prolonged survival after injury.

Two homicidal cases are reported with prolonged survival after injury. In one case there was a 33-hour survival and the other had a 9-hour survival before death. In both cases there was severe injury to the brain: in one by blunt force and in the other by penetrating injury by firearm. Blood and urine alcohol levels in these cases were low or negative. The blood clot is another potential resource for information in an unnatural death investigation where intoxication is suspected or indicated by the behavior of the victim.