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Module-5-CDI-102

This module focuses on the study of poison and toxicology, including types of poisons, their symptoms, and their effects on the body before and after death. It covers the administration of poisons, the medico-legal classification, and the selection of materials for toxicological analysis. Students will learn to define poison, identify symptoms, and understand the importance of specimen collection in forensic investigations.

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Ashley Santos
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22 views

Module-5-CDI-102

This module focuses on the study of poison and toxicology, including types of poisons, their symptoms, and their effects on the body before and after death. It covers the administration of poisons, the medico-legal classification, and the selection of materials for toxicological analysis. Students will learn to define poison, identify symptoms, and understand the importance of specimen collection in forensic investigations.

Uploaded by

Ashley Santos
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Module No.

POISON

Second Semester, AY 2023-2024

ERNESTO P. JAGMIS JR
Instructor III
DIANA RUTH C. COCHING
Instructor
CHAPTER 4
POISON

Overview:

This topic covers the special study of poison and toxicology and encompasses
the general types of poison, its symptoms in living person and preceding death, and
its external appearance after death.
It includes the study of administration of poison, the selection of materials for
examination and the collection of such evidence for the reliability of its admission as
an evidence in court proceeding.

A. Learning Outcomes
At the end of the module, the students can:
1. Define and understand poison;
2. Enumerate the types of poison;
3. Distinguish the external appearance after death in poisoning;
4. Identify the different poisoning symptoms preceding death;
5. Familiarized the selection of materials for toxicological analysis of
poisoning; and
6. Answer the given exercises.

B. Time Allotment: 3 hours/week

C. DISCUSSION

Poison
It refers to any substance that can cause harm, illness, or death when
ingested, inhaled, or absorbed by the body. It can act through chemical
reactions, disrupting normal physiological processes. Legally, a poison is often
defined as a substance administered with the intent to kill or harm.

Toxicology
It is the branch of science deals with the nature, effects, and detection of
poisons.

Forensic Toxicology
It is the study of presence of drugs, alcohol, poisons, and other chemical
substances in biological samples for legal and investigative purposes.

Types of Poisons

1. Corrosives
These poisons cause inflammation at the site of contact. They include
both strong acids (such as concentrated sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and
hydrochloric acid) and alkalis.

2. Irritants - Irritant poisons cause irritation, pain, and excessive vomiting.

a. Inorganic Irritant Poisons - These consist of both metallic (lead,


arsenic, mercury, antimony, bismuth, silver, copper, zinc, etc.) and non-
metallic (zinc chloride, ferric chloride, phosphate, sulfate, nitrate,
nitrite, etc.) compounds.
b. Organic Irritant Poisons - These include poisons of both vegetable
and animal origin.
c. Animal Poisons - Examples include snake venom, scorpion venom, and
cantharides.
d. Vegetable Poisons - This extensive category comprises various toxic
plants (such as croton, castor, Calotropis, Nux vomica, Abrus, and
Precatoreous).
e. Mechanical Irritant Poisons - These poisons cause irritation,
perforation, or obstruction in the gastrointestinal tract. Examples
include powdered glass, diamond dust, and chopped hair.

3. Neurotics - are types of Poisons which have affect different parts of the
central nervous system
a. Cerebral Poisons - Examples include alcohol, opium, barbiturates,
and benzodiazepines. These are central nervous system
depressants.
b. Spinal Poisons - The most common example is strychnine, derived
from the seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica. It affects the spinal cord.
c. Peripheral Poisons - These affect the peripheral nerves of the
brain. Examples include radiation and chemotherapy drugs.

Medico-Legal Classification of Poisons - Based on intention.

a. Homicidal Poisons - Used to kill another person (Ex. Arsenic, cyanide


and thallium).
b. Suicidal Poisons - Used for self-killing (e.g., opium, barbiturates,
agricultural poisons and medicinal drugs).

ADMINISTRATION OF POISONS
Poison can be administered in different ways to fulfil different purposes. It can
be administered through enteral routes such as through intestinal routes and other
routes such as the parenteral routes by means of an intramuscular injection. Poison
can also come in contact with the body through other layers such as the mucous
membrane (Respiratory Tract), eye, ear etc.
Once administered Poisons tend to remain in the body in the form of essential
metabolites for periods of time which may vary. The Toxic symptoms of a toxin is
observed when the substance is absorbed by the blood or organs and converts into
an active metabolite which has a particular effect on the body. This causes damage
to the body or organ. Sometimes it acts in such a way to disrupt the effective
functioning of an organ to thereby cause death.

EXTERNAL APPERANCE OF POISONAL DEATH


Poisoning is a complex matter in forensic toxicology. When investigating
suspected poisoning cases, both external and internal examinations of the body are
crucial to determine the cause of death.
1. Immediate Changes
a. The Nervous System Function Stops immediately
b. Cessation of Respiration and Circulation
c. The face becomes pale (pallor mortis)
d. Skin loses its natural elasticity
e. Muscles become flaccid
2. Early Changes
a. The body gradually cools down.
b. Discoloration (livor mortis) occurs due to blood pooling in dependent
areas.
c. Onset of Rigor Mortis, 2-6 hours after death.
3. Historical Context
a. In the 19th century, understanding poison’s effects on the body after
death was crucial. Bodies of poison victims were believed to decay
faster than usual.
b. Hair and nails often fell off the day after death, and tissues liquefied
rapidly into a pulp.

POISONING: SYMPTOMS PRECEDING DEATH


1. Dizziness, disorientation, drowsiness, and faintness: These can be early
signs of poisoning and may indicate exposure to harmful substances.
2. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain: These gastrointestinal
symptoms can occur due to ingesting toxic substances.
3. Skin reactions or rashes may occur after exposure to certain poisons.
4. Sores or redness around the mouth: This could be a sign of chemical
exposure or ingestion.
5. Drooling or foaming: Excessive saliva production can be a symptom of
poisoning.
6. Trouble breathing: Respiratory distress may occur if the poison affects the
lungs.
7. Persistent headaches can sometimes be linked to poisoning.
8. Uncontrolled shaking or tremors might be indicative of poisoning.
9. Seizures, characterized by uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain, can
occur in severe cases.
Note: Each Toxin affects the Human Body in a Particular way. The Symptoms shown
vary from poison to poison

POISONING: SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

Forensic toxicology plays a crucial role in investigating cases involving


poisoning. Remember that the type and quality of samples significantly impact the
accuracy of forensic toxicology results. The following are the process of collecting
and analyzing biological samples for forensic toxicological analysis:

Specimen Collection:

1. Blood - Blood is often the primary specimen for detecting, quantifying,


and interpreting drugs and other toxicant concentrations. It helps
establish recent drug ingestion and assess the effect of substances on the
deceased at the time of death.
2. Urine - Commonly used for drug testing in the workplace, urine can also
be valuable for post-mortem toxicology.
3. Vitreous Humor - The fluid in the eye can provide insights into drug
exposure.
4. Gastric Contents - Useful for assessing substances ingested before
death.
5. Liver – Contains information about drug metabolism and exposure.
6. Hair - Can indicate long-term drug use or exposure.
7. Lung Fluid - Necessary for volatile substance abuse cases.
8. Kidney - Relevant for heavy metal poisoning and exposure to other
toxins.

Collection Process:

1. Samples must be properly identified, labeled, and sealed as soon as


possible after collection.
2. Chain of custody must be maintained from the mortuary through
laboratory testing to court proceedings.
3. Post-mortem samples (e.g., arterial or venous blood, vitreous humor,
gastric content, organs) present specific challenges due to putrefactive
alterations.
4. Unique numbered seals track evidence for each case.

Quality and Quantity:

1. Toxicological results depend on the quality and quantity of available


samples.
2. Evidence found at the scene (cups, bottles, syringes, etc.) can guide
toxicological analysis.
3. In vivo samples (blood, urine, hair, etc.) should be obtained before
therapeutic measures are implemented.
4. Post-mortem samples (blood, urine, vitreous humor, organs) are critical
but may be affected by decomposition.

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