Medico-Legal and Scanning Electron Microscopic Study of Heart in Aluminium Phosphide Poisoning

Introduction Scanning electron microscope is an analytical method in the field of forensic science, employed for primary information about unknown samples and materials. Heart is an extraordinary organ situated in thoracic cavity which along with the circulatory system, works to supply blood and oxygen to all parts of the body. Aluminium Phosphide (AlP) is a systemic lethal protoplasmic poison which has become one of the major ways of committing suicide in Northern India. Material and method The analyzed sample of heart was collected and photographed before and after dissection of the heart during autopsy and autopsied samples of heart were painstakingly taken to be analyzed at Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow. Victims personal history, supportive treatment and hospital records were also noted. Result The effect of AlP leads to a number of abnormalities on different organs, but the effect on heart is most prominent, which leads to fatalities in most of the cases especially during first 24 hours of consuming this poison. Conclusion This is an original and pioneer work in the field of Forensics, as the electron microscopic studies at tissue and cellular level can be a road map to the field of research and clinical investigations as the antidote for this lethal poison is not available till date.