NCJ Number
147551
Journal
Criminal Law Bulletin Volume: 30 Issue: 2 Dated: (March-April 1994) Pages: 172-179
Date Published
1994
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Toxicological identification of poisons is discussed.
Abstract
Since most poisons do not produce characteristic pathological lesions, a toxicologist must resort to the chemical and instrumental tests such as ultraviolet spectrophotometry and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to confirm the identity of a given poison. This article discusses the testing process, starting with the sample collection. Tests for arsenic are used throughout the article to illustrate the testing and identification process. Qualitative and quantitative findings are explained. The author emphasizes that criminal practitioners must be familiar with both the utility and limitations of the frequently used forensic techniques. In a given case, for example, the source of reasonable doubt may be the fact that the toxicologist used a nonspecific test to distinguish between a therapeutic level of poison and a toxic level. Footnotes