🔬 Toxicology: An Introduction
Toxicology is the branch of science that deals comprehensively with poisons.
📚 Scope of Comprehensive Study
A comprehensive study in toxicology covers the following key aspects of poisons:
- Source: The origin of the poison.
- Nature: The physical and chemical properties of the poison.
- Fatal Dose: The minimum quantity required to cause death.
- Fatal Period: The time elapsed between the administration of the poison and the occurrence of death.
- Mode of Action: How the poison acts within the body and affects organs.
- Symptoms and Treatment: The signs of poisoning and their counteraction or management.
- Detection and Post-mortem Autopsy Findings: The identification of the poison in cases of poisoning and the observations obtained from the examination of the deceased.
⚖️ Medico-Legal and Forensic Aspects
Furthermore, from a medico-legal perspective, toxicology discusses the following:
- Sale and Purchase: Regulations concerning the trade of poisons.
- Medicinal Use: The use of poisons in measured quantities for drug preparation or therapeutic purposes.
- Side Effects: The harmful and secondary effects of poisons or certain medications.
🚨 Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Poisoning
Several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) are applicable to crimes involving poisoning, such as:
- Sections 284, 324, 326, and 328 (dealing with negligent conduct concerning poisonous substances, voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means, and administering poison with intent to commit an offence).
- Sections 299, 300, and 304-A (dealing with culpable homicide, murder, and causing death by negligence, respectively, where poisoning may be the method used).
Definition of Poison
“A poison is defined as any substance that, upon entering the human body (through ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption), causes a disruption in its physiological functions. Thus, this may be in the form of a drug, a specific dose, or any other chemical agent.”
📜 Legal Significance
The concept of Poison in forensic medicine is extremely vast and limitless. According to its definition, any substance that causes harm to the body after entering it through breathing, the mouth, or any other route, can be considered a poison.
It is a crucial fact that:
- A large quantity of a Medicine can be “life-taking” (lethal).
- A small quantity of a Poison can be “life-giving” (beneficial).
⚖️ Principle for Distinguishing Medicine and Poison
Therefore, the most important way to distinguish between medicine and poison in forensic medicine is to ascertain the “Intention or Purpose” under which it was used.
- If a substance was administered with the intention of “giving life,” it is considered a medicine.
- If a substance was used with the intention of “taking life,” it is considered a poison.
Examples:
- Snake Venom: It is used as a medicine in the treatment of certain types of cancer. •
- Sleeping Pills: These are generally medicines, but they can be used as poison to take one’s own life or the life of another.
📜 Legal Regulations for Drug Control in India
In light of the definitions mentioned above, various legal regulations have been enforced in India to control drugs and medicines. The details are as follows:
1. Drugs and Cosmetics Act (1940)
- Application: This Act applies to necessities for beauty and adornment (cosmetics).
- Amendment (1964): In 1964, the Act was further amended to include Ayurvedic and Unani medicines as well.
- Objective: The purpose of this Act is to ensure the purity and control the efficacy of drugs.
- Penalty: Penalties have been mandated under this Act concerning adulterated drugs.
2. Drugs and Cosmetics Rules (1945)
Under these rules, drugs are categorized into different Schedules concerning:
- Storage (stocking)
- Display
- Sale and Distribution
- Prescription
Important Schedules: Schedule H and L Drugs
- Many drugs, especially Antibiotics and Chemotherapy medicines, are designated under Schedule H and Schedule L.
Regulations:
- They must only be dispensed upon the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP). •
- They must be kept in a designated area within the medical store.
- Rules regarding the registration/recording of the patient’s details are also specified.
3. 💊 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985
Objective: The Act prohibits the cultivation, production, storage, sale, and import of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances..
Prohibitions
This law imposes a complete ban on the following activities related to these substances:
- Cultivation
- Production/Manufacture
- Storage
- Sale and Purchase
- Import and Export
Exemptions
These drugs may, however, be obtained for medical and research purposes, but only under the express authorization and approval of the government.
🔪 Poisons Used in Poisoning
The following poisons (toxins) are used for various purposes:
Human Poisoning:
Human Poisoning:Various poisons are used in humans for homicidal (murder), suicidal (self-killing), or accidental purposes. Additionally, poisons are used to induce stupefaction or intoxication.
1. Suicidal Purposes: For this purpose, poisons are generally chosen that are easily available and can be easily mixed into a drink or food and consumed.
Examples:
- Potassium Cyanide
- Hydrocyanic Acid
- Opium
- Barbiturates
- Organophosphorus Compounds
- Oleander
2. Homicidal Purposes: For murder, poisons are selected that are odourless, colourless, and where even a small, carefully administered dose can cause death.
Examples:
- Arsenic
- Antimony
- Thallium
- Oleander
- Organophosphorus Compounds
- Calotropis
- Aconite
- Powdered Glass
- Insulin or certain other drugs •
- To kill children: Opium is sometimes used.
3. Accidental Poisoning: This often occurs due to improper storage of poisons and carelessness during use. • Other Causes: Accidental poisoning can also result from taking medicine from inexperienced doctors or from bites/stings by venomous animals (like snakes or scorpions).
4. Purposes of Inducing Stupefaction or Intoxication Poisons that temporarily cause intoxication or stupefaction are commonly used for robbery or illicit activities. •
Examples:
- Alcohol
- Datura
- Cannabis
Modern Drugs:
- Rohypnol
- Phensedyl
- Cocaine