Detection and identification of green vitriol in autopsy material- A case study

Death due to ferrous sulphate is uncommon in literature. On ingestion, initially there is a relative lack of severe symptoms and signs. Hence, there is usually some delay before the affected person needs medical care. Ferrous sulphate is however toxic and death occurs due to multi-organ failure in substantial ingestions. The diagnosis of ferrous sulphate poisoning depends mainly on the history, and clinical and postmortem findings. Chemical analysis utilizing conventional equipment may not be helpful. The proper physical evidences collected from scene of crime may sometime be helpful. A case reported in which twenty eight-year-old lady consumed a small amount of green sauce made up of mint (pudina) offered by her husband in which he intentionally added ferrous sulphate to get rid from him. A short time thereafter she suffered from diarrhea and vomiting, for which symptomatic treatment was given by a physician from a local hospital. But the condition of the lady worsened and she died on the same day after ingestion of the poison. In the present study post mortem findings and analysis of green vitriol in autopsy material and physical evidences discussed.