Suicide With Attempted Filicide by Poisoning: A Case Report

Suicide by poisoning, particularly through the ingestion of agricultural pesticides, remains a prevalent method of self-harm in India due to their widespread availability and accessibility. We present a case of a married woman who intentionally ingested an agricultural pesticide and simultaneously administered the same substance to her four children by mixing it into tea. Despite intensive medical intervention, the woman succumbed to poisoning, whereas all four children survived. This case constitutes an unusual instance of suicide associated with attempted filicide by the use of pesticides. Motivating factors for this tragic event included prolonged domestic abuse, financial hardship, and social isolation. The report discusses the clinical course and forensic evaluation, including clinical forensic assessment, autopsy examination, and medicolegal aspects of pesticide poisoning (organophosphorus compound), emphasizing the toxicological profile of such agents. The report also emphasizes the broader public health implications of intentional poisoning events and the forensic significance of filicide associated with maternal suicide.