An autopsy case of acute poisoning via ingestion of hydrofluoric acid

We herein report an autopsy case of acute poisoning via ingestion of hydrofluoric (HF) acid. HF acid is an aqueous solution of hydrogen fluoride and is an extremely strong inorganic acid. A 69-year-old woman was found dead in her bathroom at home. There was a bottle of HF acid and an empty cup in the kitchen. Autopsy findings revealed white erosions on the surface of the oral and esophageal mucosae. The gastroduodenal mucosa was black and extensively corroded. The stomach contained 100 mL of black mud-like substance with an irritating odor. To prove oral ingestion of HF acid, we analyzed the fluoride content of the dissection materials using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Consequently, fluoride was detected in femoral venous blood (69.7 mg/L) and in the stomach (348.8 mg/L). The fluoride content was considered extremely high; therefore, it was concluded that the deceased ingested a corrosive poisonous substance.