forensic medicine and toxicology

1. Presentor
Dr. Harendra Singh Bansal
Junior Resident ( First Year )
Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
M L N Medical College

2. IRRITANT POISONS
INORGANIC POISONS ORGANIC POISONS MECHANICAL POISONS
NON-METALS AND
METALS
VEGETABLES AND
ANIMALS
SECTION 328 IPC

3.  Two important poisons in this group
PHOSPHOR
US
IODINE

4.  Exists in 2 Forms
 Turns yellow on exposure to air ( aka yellow phosphorus)
 Yellow: Translucent,waxy, luminous cylinder
Slightly soluble in Alcohol,highly in carbon disulphide,insoluble
in Water.
Strong odour of Garlic when exposed to air
Luminous in DARK (PHOSPHORESCECE )
RED : INERT unless mixed with YELLOW.Exactly OPPOSITE in
Properties.
Red as
amorphous
White as
crystalline

6.  Protoplasmic Poison produces anoxic conditions leading to diminished metabolism
of cells aka NECROBIOSIS (classically manifested in LIVER )

7.  Symptoms & Signs- a) PRIMARY b) SECONDARY
 A) PRIMARY- usually occurs within 2-6 hours
Burning pain in throat, Esophagus & Stomach
Intense thirst
Gaseous Eructations
Nausea,Vomiting,Diarrhoea
Garlic taste in mouth & Garlic breath odour
Luminosity of Vomit & Faeces is diagnostic
Contact with Skin causes slow healing burns.

8.  Secondary Symptoms- D/T Absorbed Poison damaging mainly the Liver & Kidneys.
Jaundice & Distension of the abdomen
Hypoprothombinaemia
Purpura & Epistaxis
Faeces are pale
Scanty urine which is strongly acidic,contains blood,albumin,bile
Abortion in pregnant woman
Nervous system: frontal pain,insomnia,ringing in ears
Impaired vision,formication,cramps,paralysis
Priapism is common
Death ensues d/t hepatic & renal insufficiency

9.  60 TO 120 mg
FATAL PERIOD
Within 24 hours death may occur , usually 6-7 days

10.  CONTRAINDICATED
DEMULCENTS – dissolve & promote absorption of P
Stomach lavage :- 0.5% solution of KMNO4 repeatedly till no smell of garlic.
Postassium permanganate oxidises phosphorus.
A dilute solution of 0.1% copper sulphate may be used as antidote.
Liquid Paraffin may retard absorption.
IV Fluids for hypovolemic shock.
IV Dextrose ( Liver protection)
Haemodialysis may be required for renal failure.
Skin burns should be thoroughly washed with 1% copper sulphate solution.

11. If death occurs early- erosion/inflammation of
mucous membrane of
Pharynx,Esophagus,Stomach,Intestines.
Cloudy swelling of Liver & Kidney
Bowel & Stomach contents luminous in
dark
Body smell of Garlic

12. USUAL COURSE
1. EXTERNAL:
a) Body may smell of Garlic
and emaciated.
b) Jaundice
c) Haemorrhages both under
the skin and various natural orifice

13. 2. INTERNAL:
a)Fatty degeneration and internal
haemorrhages.
b) Mucous membrane of the
stomach and intestine is yellowish or grayish
white,softened ,inflamed,corroded
c) perforation and haemorrhage is
common
d) Liver undergoes necrobiosis

14.  INTERNAL:
e) Subendocardial haemmorhage in Left ventricle is common
f) Viscera for chemical analysis is preserved in saturated solution of
common salt.

15.  Yellow phosphorus – fireworks , certain rodent & insect poisons
can be used as homicidal poison because sypmtoms appear
after some days
death occurs after few days

16.  RESULTS from frequent inhalation of fumes over period of years.
 Common site of gas attack is decayed tooth.
 First symptom is toothache followed by swelling of jaw leading to necrosis of gums
followed by sequestration of bone in mandible which is k/a PHOSSY JAW.
 PHOSSY JAW Followed by constitutional symptoms such as weakness,loss of
apetite , anemia,jaundice,pin in joints.

17. IODINE
 Occurs as brown scaly crystals,metallic lustre with unpleasant taste with violet
coloured vapours
 Acts directly on cells by protein precipitation
 Vapours are strongly irritant to respiratory passages

18.  Corrosive irritant poison
 Burning pain and sensation from mouth to stomach.
 Unpleasant taste leading to intense thirst
 Lips and oral mucosa will be brown/ yellow stained
 Severe abdominal pain with vomiting & diarrhoea
 Micturition is painful and scanty
 Voided urine is dark brown ,has albumin, strong smell of iodine.
 Marked depression, weak/feble pulse,delirium,collapse
 IODISM:- prolonged ingestion of iodine compounds leading to
headache,coryza,bronchial catarrh,conjunctivitis,facial edema.

19.  Solid form- 2 Gm
 8-10 ml of TINCTURE IODINE
 FATAL PERIOD:- 24 hours

20.  Stomach wash with 1 % STARCH solution/ 5% solution of SODIUM
THIOSULPHATE
 DEMULCENTS
 ANTIHISTAMINES AND STERIODS IN INTOLERANCE
 HIGH SODIUM CHLORIDE INTAKE.

21.  Skin rashes with facial edema
 Yellow or brown stained mucous membranes with excoriation and corrosion of
mouth,esophagus and stomach.
 Pleural effusion
 Pericardial effusion
 In kidney glomerular and tubular necrosis

22.  CANNOT be used for homicide as they colour farinaceous food blue.
 Weak solution of iodine used as chemical antidote to all oxidizable poisons
 During travel water can be made potable by 5 drops of 2% tincture iodine per litre
of water( IF water is cloudy double/four times quantity may be added)

23. THANK
YOU