JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Abstract

Arsenic has been considered as an ideal homicidal poison from centuries back till date and placed in the top list of lethal poisons used with criminal purpose. We report two cases of acute arsenic poisoning, who succumbed to death after being admitted to hospital for consuming toxic temple food offering. Initially it was believed that some toxic substances might have got mixed with religious offerings which led to food poisoning among devotees. Later it was unearthed by investigating officer that it was due to web of rivalry illicit relationship. The autopsy findings of red velvety gastric mucosa, petechial haemorrhages over visceral organs along with the distinctive clinical profile of the deceased lead to a strong doubt of arsenic poisoning which were further confirmed by chemical analysis report and the circumstantial evidence of consumption of prasadam laced with arsenic poison.

Keywords: Prasadam, illicit relationship, Homicidal poisoning, Arsenic, Red velvety gastric mucosa