Evidence #8 Toxicology Analysis

When the victim's body was internally inspected it was found that the throat was closed off but normal in color. Nerve endings throughout the body were damaged. The pH of the blood was lower than the normal 7.35 pH. Lastly there was no fluid present in the lungs.

Using LC-APCI-MS and LC-ESI-MS/MS a multianalyte procedure was performed to detect and validate the quantification of any of the following toxic alkaloids: aconitine, atropine, colchicine, coniine, cytisine, and nicotine.

The procedure validated that the toxin coniine was present in the victims body in large amounts. There were no traces of any other chemicals in the body.

Task:

- Read through the toxicology report and record any helpful information.

- Using the information in the toxicology report, determine which of the six organisms listed below was responsible for the poison/toxin found within Blaine's body.

- Record the toxin/poison found in Blaine's body in the evidence table and mark off any suspects it links to.

Toxic Animals

Coral Snake

Toxin Present: micrurotoxins (MmTX)

Method of injecting venom: Biting the victim.

Markings of a snake bite: Two small puncture wounds approximately 1 cm away from each other.

Symptoms:

  • Swelling and redness around the wound
  • Pain at the bite site
  • Difficulty breathing and swallowing
  • Vomiting and nausea
  • Change in skin color
  • Drooping eyelids
  • Sweating and salivating
  • Paralysis

Death occurs from respiratory failure

Cone Snail

Toxin Present: conotoxins

Method of injecting venom: injection of a small harpoon

Markings of a cone snail sting: a small circular wound similar to the markings made by a doctor's needle

Symptoms:

  • Intense pain, tingling, and numbness
  • Blurred Double Vision
  • Muscle paralysis
  • Respiratory paralysis

Death occurs from respiratory paralysis


Deathstalker Scorpion

Toxin Present: mixture of neurotoxins including: chlorotoxin, charybdotoxin, sycllatoxin, and types I, II, and III agitoxins.

Method of injecting venom: Stabbing the victim with its stinger

Markings of a scorpion sting: a small circular wound

Symptoms:

  • Painful, tingling, burning, or numbing sensation at the sting site
  • widespread numbness
  • Difficulty breathing and swallowing
  • Thick tongue
  • Drooling
  • Sweating
  • Vomiting
  • Blurred Vision + Roving eye movements
  • seizures

Death occurs from heart or respiratory failure

Poisonous Plants

Poison Hemlock

Toxin Present: coniine

Poisonous if ingested in large doses

Symptoms:

  • Pupil dilation
  • dizziness
  • paralysis of the central nervous system
  • paralysis of the muscles
  • blockage of airways

Death occurs from respiratory failure

Water Hemlock

Toxin Present: cicutoxin

Poisonous if ingested in large doses

Symptoms:

  • Vomiting and nausea
  • abdominal pain
  • tremors
  • confusion
  • weakness, drowsiness, and dizziness
  • decrease in blood pH
  • muscle breakdown

Death occurs from respiratory failure

Fool's Parsley

Toxin Present: coniine

Poisonous if ingested in large doses

Symptoms:

  • Inflammation of mouth and throat
  • lock jaw syndrome
  • abdominal pain
  • confusion
  • blurred vision and pupil dilation
  • small intestine congestion
  • skeletal paralysis

Death occurs from respiratory paralysis