Autopsy's second phase is toxicology
Westchester County medical examiners are testing Diane Schuler's vitreous fluid - a clear, viscous substance in back of the eyeball - for signs of blood sugar levels that may have been high enough to make her sick. Vitreous fluid is tested for glucose because it is not as susceptible to post-mortem changes as blood and other fluids. The fluid can only tell investigators whether Schuler had heightened blood sugar levels. It's nearly impossible for an autopsy to detect a deadly drop in blood sugar because glucose levels naturally fall after death. Forensic scientists will also test Schuler's blood for evidence of drugs or alcohol. Results are expected in four to eight weeks.
Sources: Dr. Elliott Gross, former New
York City chief medical examiner; Dr. Kunjlata Ashar, Westchester deputy medical examiner.
'I'm going to try to avoid it' A trip to the emergency room in a Long Island hospital now averages nearly 4 hours, data shows. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.
'I'm going to try to avoid it' A trip to the emergency room in a Long Island hospital now averages nearly 4 hours, data shows. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.