Vomitus Jar
Definition
A wide-mouthed glass container with screw cap, filled to two-thirds with the collected vomitus and topped up with saturated sodium chloride solution. The standard preservative for stomach contents and vomitus at the scene.
- Container
- Wide-mouthed glass jar with screw cap
- Fill level
- Two-thirds with collected vomitus
- Preservative
- Saturated sodium chloride solution
- Setting
- Poisoning crime scene collection
Common questions
Why is the jar filled only two-thirds full rather than to the top?+
Leaving headspace accommodates any gas produced during storage and transport and reduces pressure buildup that could crack the container or force the cap open, while the added saturated salt solution still ensures the sample stays submerged and is not lost to evaporation.
Why saturated sodium chloride rather than formalin or another common preservative?+
Saturated brine inhibits bacterial growth and slows decomposition of the sample without introducing a chemical, such as formalin, that could interfere with subsequent toxicological extraction and analysis of the poison itself.
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