These substances were detected and proposed as alcoholism indicators in connection with congener alcohol analyses of blood samples from DWIs. Methanol, in particular, has been adopted as a powerful indicator of alcohol misuse. Acetone and isopropanol are bound by a redox-reaction. During the storage of blood samples, acetone can be altered to isopropanol. Experiences with these volatile alcoholism indicators are reported in re-analysis of blood samples obtained from intoxicated drivers.
Jurisdiction affords high accuracy in determination to prevent misjudgment.
Congener analyses of blood samples are carried out in cases of claiming after drinks to prove these answers. The concentrations of these alcohols like methanol, n-propanol or isobutanol in blood compared with ethanol are very low. Acetone and isopropanol are physiological substances with similar blood levels. They are measured by the same gaschromatographic method like the congener alcohols. These analyses are usual since the beginning of the eighties in many German institutes of forensic medicine but not in other parts of the world.