Correlation between Postmortem Diagnosis and Survival Time in Poisoning Deaths

Every deaths resulting from poisoning has to be investigated to establish cause of death. Difficulties in clinical diagnosis of poisoning cases is well known because many a time they present with non specific symptoms and signs or the features may simulate natural disease process. Same with Forensic Pathologist as many times postmortem findings are nonspecific. Some poisons are retained in the body for long time after deaths while others may be rapidly destroyed during metabolic activity. This study was undertaken to find out effect of survival time on the postmortem findings, and on chemical analysis of body tissue and body fluids in poisoning deaths. In majorities of cases death was due to insecticides. Toxicological report showed positive for poison in 70% of cases. Kerosene smell, which is present in Organophosphorus poisoning, is present maximum upto three days. Chemical analysis report showed positive in 94% of cases in first three days. There after chance of detection of poison in routine viscera decreases upto 50%. Suggestions have been made for postmortem diagnosis in poisoning victims.