A body brought for autopsy with history of poisoning. On postmortem examination there is dark brown postmortem staining and garlic odour in stomach. In this case the poisoning is most likely due to –
**Question:** A body brought for autopsy with history of poisoning. On postmortem examination there is dark brown postmortem staining and garlic odour in stomach. In this case the poisoning is most likely due to -
A. Arsenic
B. Hydrogen Cyanide
C. Cyanide
D. Strychnine
**Correct Answer:** **D. Strychnine**
**Core Concept:**
In forensic medicine, postmortem staining and specific odours can provide valuable clues about the cause of death due to poisoning. Dark brown postmortem staining is characteristic of certain poisonings, particularly those involving cobalt, iron, or copper. Garlic odour in the stomach is a specific sign of hydrogen cyanide poisoning.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**
The dark brown postmortem staining and garlic odour in the stomach in this case indicate that the poisoning is likely due to a poison with both staining properties and characteristic odour. Strychnine is a poison with dark brown staining properties and has a characteristic garlic-like odour, which matches the observed findings.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Inaccurate:**
A) Arsenic: Arsenic poisoning typically causes a greenish-black staining and does not have a garlic odour.
B) Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN): Hydrogen cyanide does not cause dark brown staining and lacks the characteristic garlic odour. Instead, it causes a sweet or fruity odour.
C) Cyanide: Similar to HCN, cyanide poisoning causes a sweet or fruity odour and does not result in dark brown staining.
D) Strychnine: Strychnine is a toxin with dark brown staining properties and produces a characteristic garlic-like odour, which matches the observed findings in the case described.
**Clinical Pearl:**
In poisoning cases, the presence of dark brown staining and garlic-like odour in the stomach should prompt the consideration of strychnine poisoning. This is particularly important in forensic medicine when determining the cause of death and assisting with poison identification. By matching the observed findings with the characteristics of strychnine, the correct diagnosis can be established, leading to valuable insights for forensic investigations and potential legal implications.