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Aldicarb poisoning: one case report
Paula Proença1, Helena Teixeira, M C de Mendonça
1Delegation of Coimbra, National Institute of Legal Medicine, Coimbra, Portugal. paulaproenca@dcinml.mj.pt
Forensic Science International
|January 11, 2005
Summary
A fatal case of aldicarb (Temik) poisoning is detailed, involving a young male found deceased in police custody. High-performance liquid chromatography confirmed toxic aldicarb levels in post-mortem samples, indicating acute intoxication.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Forensic Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Aldicarb (Temik) is a highly toxic carbamate insecticide widely used in agriculture.
- Accidental or intentional poisoning with aldicarb can lead to severe health consequences and fatalities.
Observation:
- A case of fatal aldicarb intoxication is presented involving a 24-year-old male found deceased in police custody in S. Tome and Prince.
- The victim was discovered unconscious and unresponsive, with clinical signs suggestive of severe poisoning.
- Toxicological analysis of post-mortem samples revealed significant concentrations of aldicarb in blood, stomach contents, liver, kidney, heart, and urine.
Findings:
- High-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection was employed for aldicarb quantification.
- Toxic levels of aldicarb were detected across multiple post-mortem specimens, confirming acute intoxication.
- The substance was also identified in a grey granulate powder provided by authorities, presumed to be the ingested agent.
Implications:
- This case highlights the critical importance of accurate toxicological analysis in determining the cause of death in suspicious fatalities.
- The findings underscore the potential for severe outcomes from aldicarb exposure, necessitating stringent safety measures in its handling and application.
- While the case suggests suicide, the precise etiology (suicide vs. homicide) remains undetermined, emphasizing the complexities in forensic investigations.