A review of the literature was conducted in reference to postmortem blood ethanol concentrations and the issue of postmortem production of ethanol. Ethanol in postmortem specimens may occur as a result of antemortem consumption (most common), postmortem production in the body or in vitro by microorganisms (less common), and endogenous production by microorganisms during life (rare). The portion of ethanol-positive postmortem cases in which postmortem production of ethanol is thought to have occurred is small, as is the portion of cases in which postmortem production of ethanol is a potentially important issue. It is unusual for postmortem production of ethanol to account for more than a 70 mg/dL concentration, but cases with higher concentrations occasionally occur. Cases in which blood ethanol is positive but vitreous ethanol concentration is much lower or negative, and/or in which the urine: blood ethanol concentration ratio is less than one are supportive of postmortem ethanol production. The presence of other alcohols such as n-propanol and/or n-butanol is suggestive of postmortem microbial production of ethanol. The ratio of serotonin metabolites in urine may be helpful in distinguishing postmortem production of ethanol from antemortem consumption, as may the concentration of ethyl glucuronide in blood. Candida and some other species may produce ethanol in urine antemortem and postmortem. In rare instances such as infections, endogenous ethanol production may occur in a living person. Recommendations are made concerning samples to collect and tests that may be helpful in distinguishing antemortem ethanol consumption from postmortem production of ethanol.