Expert: Walter Hintz - 6/18/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello:
In my fictional story, I wanted a  young body to be found where it had been completely drained of blood (by a vampire). But I had to rethink this scene because I received information  that seems to indicate it would be impossible to drain all the blood from the body. (I wanted it as a symbol of corporate greed) Is it impossible? If so, how can I indicate that a great deal, if not most of the blood was gone, and what the body looked like when the police found it?
If all, or most of the blood was gone, would the vampire bite marks be visible?

ANSWER: I see a couple of problems here.  IT woul dnot be possible to every last drop out of the body without draining all the tiny capillaries.  SEcondly a vampire would need a capacity to suck out at least 5 liters of blood and that would take very big stomach. I am not up on vampire lore so I do not know how much a vampire can drink.  But hey! This is a story. You can write anything you want.  The body would appear quite pale and teeth marks would still be visible

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks. Okay, how much liquid (or blood) could a very thirsty person or a normal person drink at once? Could you give me a graphic description of the body afterwards, as I would have to decribe what the police officers sees? Although it's fantastic, I didnt want it to be so fantastic that people can't supend their disbelief.  

Answer
Since blood is mostly water a person can drink as much blood as water.  I have seen a person drink about six cans of beer over a period of hours. I am guessing a person could take in at least a quart at one time but certainly not five liters.  I do not why a police officer would notice anything different about someone who just drank a quart of blood.