FORENSIC MEDICINE

ASSIGNMENT

AZIM ARIF HASHMI - 17400

RIPHAH INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
 ZINC

Zinc is a bluish white lustrous metal whose toxic effects are limited to its three
salts namely the White Vitriol i.e. Sulphate (irritant), Chloride (corrosive) and
the Phosphide (rodenticide).
ZINC ZINC ZINC
SULPHATE CHLORIDE PHOSPHIDE
(IRRITANT) (CORROSIVE) (RODENTICIDE)
SIGNS & GI irritation, metallic Destroys mucous Metallic taste in
SYMPTOMS taste in mouth, pain membrane of oral mouth, burning
in gullet stomach and cavity throat throat esophagus and
abdomen, vomiting esophagus and stomach, nausea
& Diarrhea. Patient stomach, severe vomiting followed
may collapse. vomiting and by diarrhea and
purging with blood abdominal pain.
and tenesmus. Shock Garlic taste in mouth
symptoms may be and odor. Sometimes
present with symptom free period
remission of followed by GI
symptoms and disturbance, liver
recurrences. damage and
hemorrhage in skin.
Phosphine gas results
in dyspnea
pulmonary edema
and bradycardia
leading to collapse
coma and death.
Shock and
convulsions may be
present.

FATAL DOSE 15 gm 400mg 5 gm

FATAL PERIOD After 90 gm = 2hrs Within few hrs. due Few hrs. to 24 hrs.
to shock, or after
After 15 gm = 5th
several weeks from
day
after effects.

TREATMENT Stomach wash unless Stomach wash unless Affected clothing

vomiting has vomiting has removed and parts
removed the poison, removed the poison, washed thoroughly
Sodium Bicarbonate Sodium Bicarbonate with soap and water.
in tepid water and in tepid water and Induced vomiting,
use of Demulcents. use of Demulcents. Gastric lavage with
35% Sodium
bicarbonate.
Administration of
 vit. k, corticosteroids
and sedatives.

POSTMORTEM Inflammation of GI Corroded Alimentary Petechial

APPEARANCES tract, Cloudy smell Canal Hemorrhage of skin,
of Liver and Kidney garlic odor from
stomach and grayish
black residues of
poison sticking to the
mucous membrane
of stomach.
Congestion of liver
spleen kidney brain
and lungs.
Necrobiosis of liver
may be seen too.

MEDICOLEGAL Suicide, Homicide Suicide, Homicide Suicidal purposes

ASPECTS and Abortion Cases. and Abortion Cases. due to availability
and cheap cost.
Sometimes mistaken Accidental poisoning
Homicidal in dowry
for Epsom salt, may occur through
deaths and accidental
accidental poisoning eating food stored in
among farmer
may occur through galvanized iron
households.
eating food stored in vessels.
galvanized iron
vessels.
 COPPER

Copper (tamba) salts that are poisonous include the Sulphate or the Blue vitriol
(nila tutia) which occur in large blue crystals and the Subacetate or Verdigris
(zangal) which occurs in bluish green mass or powder.
COPPER SULPHATE
(IRRITANT)
Metallic taste in mouth, salivation and
thirst, burning stomach, colicky
abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and
collapse. Vomit is green or blue and
stools are liquid brown but not bloody.
Urine is inky and contains albumin and
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS casts, Uremia may occur. Severe
headache and breathing may be difficult,
jaundice and muscle cramps may occur.
Cold perspiration indicates circulatory
collapse leading to convulsions and
coma ultimately death.

FATAL DOSE 30 gm

12-24 hrs.
FATAL PERIOD May be delayed for 3-5 days or even a
week.
Stomach wash with 1% potassium
ferrocyanide. Demulcents may be given
TREATMENT with usual dosage of Penicillamine,
BAL or EDTA.
Skin yellow due to jaundice, greenish
blue froth may be present at mouth and
nostrils with same coloration of the
POSTMORTEM APPEARANCE gastric mucosa and stomach contents.
Gastric mucosa and intestine are
congested, inflamed and eroded in
patches. Liver may be soft and fatty.
Antidote for phosphorous poisoning.
Suicides and accidental poisoning
MEDICOLEGAL IMPORTANCE common. Food poisoning and
contamination due to Verdigris.