This determination of the cause of death was based on the following findings: intravenous infusion by unqualified attendants, sudden death after about 3.5 hours of respiratory distress, the presence of fine frothy blood in the right side of the heart and draining major vessels, subcutaneous emphysema over upper parts of the body, and negative findings regarding any other cause of death. The authors’ advice on diagnosing air embolism is to conduct a pre-autopsy chest radiograph, which is the best way to detect air in sufficient quantities to be fatal. If air embolism is substantial enough to cause death, frothy blood oozing from the ventricular lumen, almost invariably in the right ventricle, will be evident. This condition can be observed on the pre-autopsy radiograph. Venous air embolism is a possibility in all cases in which intravenous infusion is given. In fact, any needle placed in the venous system carries the risk of causing air embolism. Such incidents can be minimized if the doctor is aware of its possibility and follows correct procedures in administering intravenous fluids. 11 references