Cyanide very lethal Can enter by inhalation ingestion or direct skin contact Used for executions Damages internal workings of the cell ME will notice a BRIGHT cherry red color to the victims blood ID: 477710
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Familiar Poisons
Cyanide – very lethal Can enter by inhalation, ingestion, or direct skin contact Used for executions Damages internal workings of the cell ME will notice a BRIGHT cherry red color to the victim’s blood. Strychnine – plant based rat poison Extremely bitter taste: hard to disguiseCauses a LOT of pain: Not typical in suicides Causes convulsionsDeath is caused by asphyxiaRigor mortis is quick because of the depletion of ATP during convulsionsMushrooms – easily confused with the edible type Implicated in accidental suicides and homicidesCauses severe damage to liver and extremely low blood sugar level Slide2
Poisons Continued…
Ethylene Glycol – antifreeze Alcoholics sometimes will consume it to satisfy the urge to drinkCauses deadly breakdown of oxalic acid reacting with calcium in the blood and crystallizes in the brain and kidneysME will find crystals in tubules of kidneyOxalic Acid – raw rhubarb Powerful irritant to gastrointestinal track May cause bleeding ME will find irritation of mouth, esophagus, stomach, and low levels of calcium in the blood Heavy Metals – Arsenic, Mercury, Lead, Antimony, Bismusth, ThalliumAll behave slightly different but cause gastrointestinal injuryLeads to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (bloody)Damages kidneys, liver, brain, and nerves Slide3
More Poisons…
Insulin – drops blood sugar level Robs brain of nutrients: death is quick If the ME finds high levels of insulin he will look for a tumor in the pancreas to rule out natural deathIf there is NO tumor… suspects homicide Succinyl Choline – injectable drugparalyzes all the muscles of the bodyLethal injections Leaves behind little evidence of presence ME looks for metabolites Corrosive Chemicals – Strong alkalis bases (lye) and acids When ingested…corrode and burn tissues of digestive trackCauses bleeding, shock, and deathRarely used in homicides…mostly accidental children ingestion. Slide4
Case Study – Carl Coppolino
Physician AnesthesiologistAugust 1965 Carl called his friend Dr. Karow to report that his wife had died. She signed the death certificate and no autopsy was preformed. Carl had been having an affair with a neighbor. When the affair ended, she went to Dr. Karow with her story. She had been given a syringe and Coppolino had instructed her on how to kill her husband, so they could continue the affair. She did not go through with it, but Coppolino came and strangled her husband and signed the death certificate. Investigations and autopsies were preformed – Coppolino was acquitted in the death of the husband. However, the ME knew that Coppolino had access to succinyl choline and that this drug would not be present in the corpse but the metabolite succinic acid would be. Large quantities were found and Coppolino was convicted of 2nd degree murder of his wife.