IMPORTANT CHARACTTERISTICS OF SOME POISONS

Liver poisons (Hepatotoxic poisons) Arsenic, Phosphorus, Carbon-tetrachloride,

Alcohol, Chlorpromazine, Chloroform, TNT, Paracetamol, Thallium, Aluminium
phosphide, Zinc phosphide.

Kidney poisons (Nephrotoxic poisons) Arsenic, Mercury, Oxalic acid, Carbolic acid,
Carbon-tetrachloride, Cantharides, Turpentine, Thallium, Aluminium phosphide,
Zinc phosphide.

Poisons resisting putrefaction: Arsenic, Antimony, Mercury, Lead, Thallium,

Cyanide, Phosphorus, Fluoride, Aluminium phosphide, Zinc phosphide,
Barbiturates, OPCs, Strychnine, Yellow oleander, Dhatura, Hyoscine, Nicotine, CO.

Poisons rapidly destroyed in body (difficulty to detect): Choral hydrate, Sodium

nitrite, Volatile poisons, Thiopental sodium, Cocaine, Aconite.

Poisons resisting heat: Arsenic, White oleander.

Poisons with characteristic order:

Carbolic acid – Phenolic Acetic acid – Pungent HCN – Bitter almond

Phosphorus – Garlic taste Opium – Characteristic Alcohol – Alcoholic
Ether – Ethereal, penetrating Chloroform – Strong odor
Chloral hydrate – Aromatic Paraldehyde – Characteristic
Kerosene – Characteristic DDT – Faint aromatic & unpleasant
Nicotine – Tobacco smell

Poisons producing sub–endocardial Haemorrhage – Arsenic, Barium, Mercury,

Phosphorus, Viper bite, Heat stroke, Acute Infective diseases (influenza), Traumatic
asphyxia.

Knock–out agents: Potassium bromide, Choral hydrate, Dhatura, Cannabis (Bhang).

Froth producing poisons: Barbiturates, Opium, Tik-20, Endrin, Copper, Kerosene,

OPCs, Drowning .
Hallucinogens : LSD, Peyote, Mescaline,, Cannabis, Cocaine, Amphetamine, Alcohol.

Artificial bruise producing poisons: Calotropis, Semecarpus anacardium (Marking

nut), Plumbago (Chitra).

Blister forming poisons: Barbiturates,, Marking nut, Plumbago, Calotropis, Croton,

CO, Tricycle antidepressants, Meprobamate .

Curosity poisons: Castor oil seeds, Borax paste, Iodine, Rati, Poisonous Mushrooms.

Formication producing poisons (as if ants creeping under the skin): Cocaine,
Phosphorus, Ergotism (convulsive type).

Hyperpyrexia producing poisons: Marking nut, Dhatura, Aspirin, Strychnine,

Antihistaminics, Pethidine, Barbiturates, Atropa belladonna, Nicotine (used by
malingers in axilla to increase temperature), Arsenic, Cyanide, Amphetamine,
Pontine haemorrhage.
Poisons causing miosis (pupillary constriction) : Opium and related narcotics, OPCs,
Barbiturates, Alcoholic coma, Abrus precatorius, Benzodiazepines, carbamates,
carbolic acid, bromides, caffeine, muscarinic mushrooms, pontine haemorrhage.

Poisons causing mydriasis ( pupillary dilation) : Dhatura (Atropine), Alcohol,

Methanol, Viper bite, Amphetamine, Antihistamines, Chloroform, CO, Cocaine,
Cyanide, Curare, LSD, Ergot.