Zinc as a Marker in Viscera of Suspected Metal Phosphide Poisoning: A Study by Neutron Activation Analysis

Bhadkambekar, C. A.; Swain, K. K.; Mukherjee, Tulsi; Sarin, Rakesh K.; Shukla, Shobha; Kayasth, S. R.

doi:10.1093/jat/32.9.760

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…In case of metal phosphide poisoning, a forensic scientist generally carries out a phosphide/phosphine gas test for the detection and identification of phosphide in the viscera (Bhadkambekar et al 2008). Silver nitrate test is used for the detection of phosphine after acid hydrolysis by sulfuric acid on metal phosphide.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…But, the human body also contains trace amount of these elements, within certain ranges, which can be differentiated from their quantities. Hence, it is ideal to detect and quantify these metals along with phosphide determination to be able to frame a definitive opinion (Bhadkambekar et al 2008). But in developing countries like India, because of high case load and procedural cost, quantitative analysis is not routinely performed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Blending of rodenticide and battery acid – a rare and fatal suicide mix

Rahman

Das

Chaudhari

et al. 2017

Egypt J Forensic Sci

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BackgroundSelf-poisoning usually occurs by the ingestion of a single lethal compound and majority of the poisoning cases in our country are due to the pesticides. Suicide by ingestion of more than one poisonous substance is rare except alcohol and multiple drugs. To the best of our knowledge, suicidal ingestion of a mixture of rodenticide and battery acid has not been reported before in medical literature.Case presentationHere we are discussing a case of simultaneous ingestion of two poisonous substances, i.e., aluminium phosphide and battery acid. In general, an acid is mainly locally acting while metal phosphide is a systemic poison. Features suggestive of both these poisonous substances were noticed on clinical, autopsy and histopathological examination and supported by a positive chemical analysis report of viscera. Moreover, we analysed the possible reactions which may occur between these two compounds and their by-products outside and inside our body.ConclusionIn cases where, combination of poisons is suspected a proper history, meticulous autopsy and ancillary investigation including histopathogy and analytical toxicology are required to conclude the cause of death and mechanism of poisoning.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Blending of rodenticide and battery acid – a rare and fatal suicide mix

Rahman

Das

Chaudhari

et al. 2017

Egypt J Forensic Sci

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“…Nevertheless, the ultrastructural changes in avian hepatocytes in relation to biochemical alterations after the exposure to fatal phosphine poisoning not yet extensively investigated. On the other hand, there is evidence to the elevation of zinc concentration in the content of crop or viscera after the exposure to lethal doses of Zn 3 P 2 [3] , [18] , [22] , [23] , while the analysis of hepatic zinc concentration, to author’s knowledge; had been studied in very limited case report studies. Therefore, we have tried to measure zinc concentration in the liver of broiler chicks experimentally intoxicated with Zn 3 P 2 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hepatic damage associated with fatal zinc phosphide poisoning in broiler chicks

Okle

Derbalah

Euony

2016

International Journal of Veterinary Science and Medicine

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Zinc phosphide (Zn3P2) is a widely used rodenticide which has the potential to cause high mortality if ingested. The present study was designed in order to explore the hepatic injury in broiler chicks that were acutely intoxicated with Zn3P2. For this purpose, a total number of 12 broiler Saso chicks were divided into two equal groups. Birds of the first group were exposed to 300 ppm Zn3P2 via food. Hepatic damage of intoxicated birds was evaluated biochemically and histologically using the transmission electron microscope and subsequently compared with another healthy non-treated controls (second group). The serum activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was significantly higher in those poisoned with Zn3P2, While, activities of both Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as, zinc concentration of hepatic tissue did not represented a significant difference between treated and control birds. Histological examination revealed presence of numerous heterogenic shaped mitochondria in hepatocytes of non-treated birds. Glycogen deposits were also scattered in the form of large electron dense deposits. Kupffer cell was irregular in shape and had numerous pseudopods often projected into sinusoidal lumen. In hepatic cells of intoxicated birds, mitochondrial swelling with cristolysis, few glycogen deposits, vacuoles in the cytoplasm and shrunken darkly stained nuclei are the major ultra-structural changes which were detected. It was concluded that the mitochondria could be one of the main target in hepatocytes for the toxic effect of Zn3P2 in broiler chicks.

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The detection of gunshot residues in the nasal mucus of suspected shooters

et al. 2016

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The identification and quantification of metallic residues produced by gunshots, called gunshot residues (GSR), provide crucial elements in forensic investigations. The research has been largely focused on their collection onto the hands of suspected shooters, but the method is often burdened by risks of contamination. This research was focused on the possibility of sampling GSR trapped inside the nasal mucus of consenting shooters. Samples of the nasal mucus of "blank" control subjects and shooters were chemically analysed by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), for residues of antimony (Sb) and barium (Ba), while lead (Pb) was excluded as ubiquitously environmental contaminant and due to high instrumental quantification limit (IQL) of INAA for this element. Shots were fired using two types of weapons (pistols and revolvers) and different firing sequences. The mucus was sampled at different times: immediately after the shots, after 30-60-120 and 180 min. Different amounts of Sb and Ba were detected between controls and shooters, witnessing the ability of the nasal mucus to retain GSR at concentrations significantly different even from the highest basal levels. Moreover, in order to simulate actual cases, nasal mucus from five groups of shooters was sampled after different shots with the same weapon and cartridges, immediately and after 1, 3, 12, and 24 h. The highest values were always found in the first 3 h from firing, for both weapons. Interestingly, for all the weapons, significant Sb and Ba concentrations were also found up to 12 h after firing, contrary to what occurs on hands, even though a progressive decrease was detected, with values below the detection threshold only after 24 h, thus demonstrating that GSR are persistent in nasal mucus. These first results proving that both Sb and Ba were qualitatively detectable in the nasal mucus of shooters indicate that the chemical analysis of the nasal mucus of suspected shooters may represent a promising tool in the forensic field since it is less burdened by problems related to sampling or contamination than the usual sampling on hand, providing that ammunitions employed contain Ba and Sb.

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Zinc as a Marker in Viscera of Suspected Metal Phosphide Poisoning: A Study by Neutron Activation Analysis

Cited by 5 publications

References 5 publications

Blending of rodenticide and battery acid – a rare and fatal suicide mix

Blending of rodenticide and battery acid – a rare and fatal suicide mix

Hepatic damage associated with fatal zinc phosphide poisoning in broiler chicks

The detection of gunshot residues in the nasal mucus of suspected shooters

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