Ethyl sulfate in blood shows the potential to distinguish alcoholic death and postmortem alcohol instillation

•Ethanol in vitreous humor (VH) cannot explain the high blood alcohol level.•VH/blood ethanol can't discern alcoholic death and postmortem alcohol instillation.•Blood ethyl sulfate (EtS) could be a specific and steady marker in this problem.•Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in blood and VH, and EtS in VH levels might be helpful.•EtG and EtS of VH were detectable in corpses instilled with alcohol.