Sasikala K.1, Vitni Fernz2, Abitha Raj B.T.3, Ajith V. Asok 4, Amritha Mathew 5, Karthika Thirunal P.R.6, Neethu Pratheep 7, Srijith R.8, Aaditya R.9
Cyanide is a rapidly acting poison which has been the suicidal agent of choice since
time unknown. Its notoriety also extends to homicide, and it has often been used
by serial killers. It is found in nature and is used in various industries, but is difficult
to obtain nowadays as a result of strict policy implementation.
METHODS
All cases of cyanide poisoning over a period of 20 years from 2000 to 2019 were
studied. Samples were sent for identification and quantification by GC-MS to the
chemical examiner’s laboratory. Data was collected in pro forma and entered into
Microsoft Excel and analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS).
RESULTS
A total of 84 cases were studied over a period of 20 years. The majority of cases
were recorded in the first decade of the study period. Most common age group
involved was 31 to 40 years. Males comprised 84.9 % of the total. Majority were
suicidal in nature, and 22.6 % were suicide pacts. The reason for committing
suicide could not be found in 59.3 %. 67.9 % were found dead or brought dead
to the hospital. In 24 % cases, the typical smell of bitter almonds was identified.
Police were able to make out the presence of poison in 83.3 % during the
preliminary investigation.
CONCLUSIONS
Males were the commonly affected. Ingestion of poison was the method of
administration in all cases. Majority were suicides, and occurred in the residence
of the victims. In majority of cases, police could identify the cause of death as
poisoning. The characteristic smell could be identified only in a few cases.
