Different methods to determine carboxyhemoglobin(COHb) in blood are described in the literature. In our laboratory three methods to analyze COHb in post-mortom blood samples were compared: the spectrophotometric method of Maehly, a gas chromatographic metod with a theral conductivity detectoe (GC-TCD) and the Oximeter.Several COHb containing blood samples of deceased persons were analyzed.Results of all three methods were caomparable for low concentrations (ca.10% COHb) aewell asfor high concentrations (ca.80% COHb) regardless of the viscosity of the blood samples. The advantages of the Oximeter when compared to aehly's ethod and GC-TCD are extreme short time of analysis (<1min>.very small blood volue required (<0.1 ml) and easy handling. In our opinion application of Oximeter is not limited to analyses of blood samples fro living persons (e.g. in clinical toxicology): it can aswell be used for the deterination of COHb in postmortem blood samples. Hence it is a useful and time saving tool in forensic toxicology
