Forensic Toxicology (3)

What are the elements of poisoning?

1. Poison
2. Poisoned organism
3. Injury to the cells
4. Symptoms and signs of death

This is the type of poisoning that results to a prompt and marked disturbance of function or death within a short period of time.

Acute Poisoning

This is the type of poisoning wherein there is gradual deterioration of functions of tissues and may or may not result in death.

Chronic Poisoning

Acute poisoning can be due to:

- taking a strong poison
- excessive single dose
- several doses, small but frequent

Chronic poisoning can be due to:

- several doses but at long intervals
- taking only toxic doses of the drug

It is the type of poisoning wherein the poison was taken without intention.

Accidental

Which of the following refers to the type of poisoning wherein the poison intake was voluntary for the purpose of taking one's life?

Suicidal

True or False: When a poison is diluted, the absorption is weakened because the concentration is reduced.

False (The absorption is rapid.)

Barium sulfate is insoluble in water. What does this indicate with regards to its toxicity?

Barium Sulfate is therefore, less toxic or nontoxic, because for a substance to act as a poison, it must be capable of forming a solution and be readily absorbed by blood.

Give two factors why diagnosis of poisoning before death is very difficult.

1. Large number of poisons and the factors modifying them; and
2. Some of the symptoms observed are also seen in certain diseases.

The following are factors distinguishing poisoning from a disease, except:

Diseases are generally sudden and faster in progress preceded by circumstances such as exposure and recognized symptoms.

The following poisons cause vomiting except:

Belladonna

What symptom is caused by the intake of cyanide and strychnine?

Convulsion

A has fallen into a come as a symptom of poisoning. Which of the following might have been the cause?

Chloroform

Karl intakes opium and/or its derivatives. Name the symptoms he might experience.

- coma
- contraction of pupils
- slow respiration
- cyanosis

Jayson is an active user of cocaine. What symptoms could he possibly experience?

- delirium
- dilation of pupils
- rapid respiration

This is a symptom causewd by intake of nitrobenzene.

cyanosis

Give three substances that cause general and partial paralysis.

- cyanide
- CO2
- botulism

What is the storage of intoxication for someone with 0.01 to 0.10 percent of alcohol in blood characterized by normal by ordinary observation?

Stimulation

What is the percent of alcohol in blood of someone who experiences decreased inhibition, emotional instability, and slowing reaction to stimuli.

0.05 - 0.20

Which of the following is not experienced by someone in confusion due to blood alcohol percentage of 0.10 - 0.30?

None of the above

This is characterized by marked decrease to stimuli and approaching paralysis.

Stupor

True or False: Once the percent of alcohol in blood reaches up to 0.25 to 0.40, there will be complete unconsciousness, subnormal temperature, impairment of circulation, and stertorous breathing. This is coma or death.

False (0.35 to 0.50)

In investigation of fatal cases, the following must be considered:

1. Symptoms of various kinds of poisoning
2. Lethal dosage of poison
3. Length of time elapsed after intake
4. Where the poison was obtained
5. Chemical formula
6. Other names of the poison
7. Uses of the poison
8. Antidotes of the poison

This evidence includes symptoms observed during the poisoning.

Symptomatic evidence

List 6 routes that the poison may take to enter the body.

- Mouth
- Skin
- Nose and Eyes
- Rectum and Vagina
- Hypodermically
- Intravenously

List 6 ways that the poison may be eliminated from the body.

Emesis
Respiration
Feces
Urine
Milk
Sweat, saliva, and tears

How can poisoning be distinguished from disease based on symptom onset?

Poisoning symptoms appear suddenly in a previously healthy person.

How can the similarity of symptoms in multiple people help in diagnosing poisoning?

It suggests that the food or drinks consumed by all were contaminated.

How do diseases generally progress compared to poisoning?

Diseases progress slowly and are often preceded by recognized symptoms.

Which of the following poisons is most commonly associated with vomiting, purging, and abdominal pain?

Arsenic

Which group of substances can cause vomiting, purging, and abdominal pain when ingested?

Arsenic, corrosive acids, and barium

Vomiting, purging, and abdominal pain are symptoms commonly linked to which of the following?

Copper and iodine

Symptom: Vomiting, purging, and abdominal pain

Poisons: Arsenic, Antimony, Corrosive Acids and Alkalis, Barium, Cantharides, Digitalis, Copper, Iodine, Mercury, Phosphorus, Phenols, Wood Alcohol

Convulsions are a common symptom of poisoning by which of the following substances?

Cyanide

Name a poison known for causing convulsions due to its effect on the central nervous system.

Strychnine, Cyanide

Symptom: Convulsions

Poisons: Cyanide and Strychnine

Which of the following poisons is most likely to cause a coma?

Opium and its derivatives

Which of the following substances can induce a coma by depressing the central nervous system?

CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)

Chloroform poisoning can lead to which severe symptom?

Coma

Symptom: Coma

Poisons: Opium and most of its derivatives, Paraldehyde, CO2, Chloroform

Dilation of pupils is a symptom commonly associated with poisoning from which substance?

Cocaine

Nicotine poisoning can lead to which eye-related symptom?

Dilation of pupils

Symptom: Dilation of Pupils

Poisons: Belladonna, Cocaine, Nicotine

Poisons: Opium and its derivatives, Physostigmine and its derivatives

Symptom: Contraction of Pupils

Poisons: Nitrobenzene, Aniline, Acetanilide, and Opium

Symptom: Cyanosis

This is evidence obtained by administering the suspected substance to some living animal and noting the effect or symptoms.

Experimental Evidence

Is this evidence on the scene, the victim, or the offender? ·

Chemicals to draw the poison (test tube, beakers, distillation flask), chemical bills, footprints.

On the Scene

It is evidence obtained by administering the suspected substance to some living animal and noting the effect or symptoms

Experimental

Which of the following is a clinical manifestations of stupor where the percent of alcohol in blood is 0.25-0.40.

Marked decrease to stimuli

Cyanosis; Aniline
Delirium; _________

Cannabis

Why does alcohol affect women more quickly than men?

Women have more fat and less water.

Blackening and Severe Corrosion

Sulfuric Acid

Strong mineral acids, oxalic acids, Lysol

Brownish yellow stain

Corrosion and softening of tissue of the mouth and throat

Alkalis

Hydrochloric Acid

Severe corrosion without blackening

Severe corrosion and yellow stain

Nitric Acid

Ammonia

Lips swollen, tongue raw, esophagus with red cracks, bronchopneumonia if death is delayed

Corrosion

Strong Acids

Caustic Alkalis

Soapiness

Dark brown gelatinous mass in stomach

Oxalic Acid

Acetic Acid

Stomach grayish white

Stomach yellow or reddish yellow

Picric Acid

Copper Salts

Stomach green or bluish green

Bright red spots on the skin

Hydrocyanic Acid, Cyanides, CO

Potassium or Sodium Bitrate, CO

Tissue abnormally red

Odors marked upon opening the body

Opium and some of its derivatives in some cases

Pupils contracted