Journal of Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

Homicide – suicide cases are uncommon methods of death. However, with the advent of internet and technology there appears to be a rise in the number of these cases. These cases are different as they are easily solved. They are also easily prevented if timely counselling and peer guidance is obtained. Recording statistics of these crimes can help in better understanding of the crime. Here we present an interesting case of a dejected lover who has committed the crime of passion in as cruel manner as possible, while celebrating the last date with his partner.

The doctors are required to treat and manage the poisoning cases coming in the emergency. It forms a significant part of the emergency cases [1]. The doctors may perform the medical part of the management but neglect the legal duties due to ignorance or lake of time in emergency. In this article we have tried to put forward the medical as well as legal aspect of management in poisoning case which will help the doctor to do justice to the medicolegal management of poisoning case.

Preservation of viscera in all suspected cases of poisoning during medico-legal autopsy, its toxico-chemical analysis by Forensic Science Laboratory and its reliability as testimonial in adjudicating criminal cases in court of law for best interest of justice, has been the matter of debate and of scientific review. At one hand, no scientific evidence is considered as 100 % temper proof and on the hand; evidences should be beyond all reasonable doubts to convict any accused in the court of law. In the situation, when in many cases, either there is no eye witness of a crime or even if eye witnesses are there, chances of them becoming hostile for what so ever reason, court is left with no other option than to rely on scientific evidences and injury report, autopsy report and viscera examination report plays significant role in the administration of justice. ‘SunandaPuskar’ episode has added a new spice in the ongoing controversy. Present study titled “Scenario of Usefulness of Viscera Preservation”is sincere attempt to revel how much reliance should be paid on viscera examination report while adjudicating the criminal cases allegedly of poisoning.

Strychnine and brucine are the poisonous alkaloids, derived from seeds of strychnos nux vomica. These seeds are readily available in villages and often misused for poisoning. A systematic and complete detection and quantitation of different poisons including plant poison is carried out by forensic toxicologists. Their method involves screening of poisons and their instrumental assay. Although instrumental methods are sensitive, they are costly and involve elaborate instrumental assay. Therefore, a simple, rapid and cheap thinlayer chromatographic method for separation and detection of bioactive compounds (strychnine and brucine) is described. These alkaloids have -N-C=O group in their structure. This reacts with active chlorine to give corresponding chloramines, which oxidises o-tolidine to give blue coloured compound on thin-layer chromatographic plate. The detection limit was found to be 5µg and 8µg per spot for strychnine and brucine respectively.

Drunken drivers in India always pose a high risk to other users of the roads. Nearly 0.14 million people lost their lives every year in last three years in India, which is more than all casualties of wars of India [6]. Statistics derived from postmortem reports from road traffic fatalities in various countries show that 20-50% of drivers had been drinking alcohol before the crash and level of consumed alcohol in their body was above the legal limit for driving [2,3]. The influence of alcohol or drugs, many a times, goes to the extent that driver becomes incapable of having control of vehicle leading to the ill fate [2,3]. Seeing the intensity of the matter, Government of India amended the relevant laws from time to time to make it more stringent to deter the offenders. The Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill 2016 is such an effort by the Government of India, which was approved by the Union Cabinet of India on 3rd of August 2016 [7]. Such cases, when passes through the process of Criminal Justice Delivery System, the quantity of ethanol determined by a forensic chemist in blood sample of the accused plays a vital role in fair trial. There are several methods available for determination of quantity of ethanol in blood and urine samples. Two such methods were used for ethanol determination in blood and urine samples by the authors. The objective of this paper is to describe the preferential selection of one method over the other in some cases and inclusion of the value of uncertainty of measurement while reporting the result. The available blood and urine samples were analyzed to determine the ethanol contents with the help of two methods. The contents of ethanol determined with two methods were found different to the extent of about 20 to 30 mg%. The results of the method with lower values were found justified with the case history and were reported along with inclusion of value of uncertainty of measurement.

Burns are amongst the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the under-developed and developing nations. This study was undertaken to understand the Epidemiological and Socio-economic factors of the fatal burn cases coming for Autopsy. The cases were found to be more prevalent in the young age group, females, Hindu religion and lower income groups. Majority of the cases were accidental occurring from cooking apparatus at the household. The findings were compared with the other studies and results were found to be similar in most over a signification period of time, which are not only disturbing facts but needs serious social deliberation and measures so as to save precious human lives. Recommendations have been given so as to minimize such incidents at least at the household level.

Trauma patients with pelvic fractures are known to be at risk of death. This, a retrospective study was conducted in Apex Trauma Center in New Delhi to find out the prevalence of pelvic injuries in fatal trauma cases subjected to autopsy. All patients (N = 280) admitted with pelvic fracture to the center during the year 2015-16, were included in the study. Male: Female ratio was 6.5:1. Out of 280 patients, the highest population was 25-60 year age group. Abdomen was most commonly injured region in association with pelvis (N=63, 22.5%) and Out of total 280 patients, 101 (36.1%) patients were either dead on the spot or they died during journey to the hospital. Mean ISS was 42.12. 136 (48.5%) patient had the ISS value between 50-75 ISS group which include critical and non survivable injuries.