Arsenic Poisoning Caused by Intentional Contamination of Coffee at a Church GatheringAn Epidemiological Approach to a Forensic Investigation

• NCJ Number: 231658
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 55 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2010 Pages: 1116-1119
• Author(s): Kathleen F. Gensheimer, M.D., M.P.H.; Vicki Rea, R.N., M.P.H.; Dora Anne Mills, M.D., M.P.H.; Christopher P. Montagna, M.S., M.P.H.; Karen Simone, Pharm.D.
• Date Published: July 2010
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research); Case Study
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

An outbreak of apparent food-borne illness following a church gathering was promptly reported to the Maine Bureau of Health.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal symptoms among church attendees were initially attributed to consumption of leftover sandwiches that had been served the previous day. However, a rapid epidemiological and laboratory assessment revealed the etiology of illness, including the death of an elderly gentleman, was not food-borne in origin. A criminal investigation determined that deliberate arsenic contamination of the brewed coffee by one of the church members was the source of the outbreak. Public health officials and criminal investigators must be aware that intentional biologic aggression can initially present as typical unintentional disease outbreaks. Practitioners must also consider the need to properly maintain and preserve potential forensic evidence. This case demonstrates the key role public health practitioners may play in criminal investigations. (Published Abstract)