Extraction of Poison from Viscera

 

Shabina Fatma, Kiran Kumari

Department of Forensic Science, Jharkhand Raksha Shakti University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India – 834008.

 

Abstract:

The examination of viscera, stomach wash, vomit, etc to determine poisons of vegetable origin, inorganic salts, metals, synthetic drugs, pesticides, alcohol, and other general poisons. Examination of powders, pills, capsules, syringes, vials, etc. Determination of alcohol in blood and urine in drunk driving cases.

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Forensic toxicological analysis has conventionally focused on the use of blood, body fluids, and certain organs in examinations of deaths due to intoxication. However, in some circumstances, putrefaction and contamination make accurate sampling from tissues difficult, such as in exhumation cases.¹

 

In these cases, bone marrow might be advantageous as an alternative specimen since it is a potential depot for drugs.

 

Biological Matrices

Biological matrices comprises of Viscera, blood, urine, saliva, stomach contents, intestinal contents, gastric lavage, vomit, brain matter, stool, faecal matter, bone, nails, hair and skin. Viscera consists of internal organs of the body which are liver, kidney, stomach, intestine, gall bladder, uterus, heart, lungs, brain etc. ²

 

Non-Biological Matrices

Non Biological matrices consists of Water, remnants or traces of poison in small container, food and food products, milk and milk products, fruits, vegetables, tea, coffee, cooked materials, drinks, cereals, pulses, wines, etc.³

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Extraction of poison from viscera

Liquid–liquid extraction (LLE), also known as solvent extraction and partitioning, is a method to separate compounds or metal complexes, based on their relative solubilities in two different immiscible liquids, usually water (polar) and an organic solvent (non-polar).^4-6

 

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Compounds which may be extracted from an acidic aqueous medium by chloroform or ether include organic acids and organic neutral compounds, such as barbiturates, actanilid, phenacetin, etc.

 

Compounds which may be extracted from a basic aqueous medium by Chloroform ether include organic bases, such as cocaine, quinine, strychnine, phenothiazines, etc.

 

For the above substances, 200-500 gram of tissue is finely ground, and treated with alcohol, filtered, and alcohol evaporated, and process repeated and a final residue is obtained and tests, such as TLC, GC, GC-MS carried out to find out specific poison.

 

REFERENCES:

1.      Bamford, f; 'Poisons. Their Isolation and Identification,' J&A; Churchill, London; 1947.

2.      Tiwari S.N.: 'Manual of Toxicology'; 1976;37-39.

3.      Rao M.S.: 'DFS Toxicology Manual'; 265, 193-195.

4.      Jaiswal A.K. et al; 'Extraction, Isolation and Clean-up Methods for Pesticides/Insecticides and Alkaloids for Biological Material Part-I; 'International Journal of Medical Toxicology and Legal Medicine. 2006; 9(3): 28-32.

5.      Dreisbach Robet; 'Handbook of Poisoning': 4th edn; 226-228.

6.      D. McNally William; Toxicology; 1937: 551-573.

 

 

 

 

 

Received on 27.07.2023       Modified on 04.09.2023 Accepted on 25.09.2023      ©A&V Publications All right reserved Research J. Science and Tech. 2023; 15(4):217-219. DOI: 10.52711/2349-2988.2023.00037