NCJ Number
11705
Journal
Journal of the Forensic Science Society Volume: 13 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL 1973) Pages: 111-117
Date Published
1973
Length
7 pages
Annotation
CONSIDERATIONS FOR INTERPRETING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE AMOUNTS OF CYANIDE FOUND IN VARIOUS BODY FLUIDS AND TISSUES FROM INDIVIDUALS SUSPECTED OF BEING POISONED.
Abstract
WHEN POTASSIUM CYANIDE WAS ADDED TO HUMAN AND RABBIT SERUM, THE AMOUNT RECOVERABLE DECREASED RAPIDLY WITH TIME. USING WHOLE BLOOD, THE RATE OF DISAPPEARANCE OF ADDED CYANIDE WAS LESS MARKED THAN WITH SERUM. THIS WAS CONFIRMED IN WHOLE BLOOD REMOVED FROM CYANIDE-POISONED ANIMALS. WITH URINE THERE WAS A RELATIVELY SLOW TRANSFORMATION OF CYANIDE. THE FINDINGS INDICATE THAT ANALYSIS OF WHOLE BLOOD, RATHER THAN SERUM, WILL GIVE THE BEST ESTIMATES FOR LIKELY INTAKE IN SUSPECTED CASES OF CYANIDE POISONING. THE AUTHORS STRESS THE NECESSITY TO SAMPLE AND ANALYZE SAMPLES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER REMOVAL FROM THE BODY.