Forensic Significance of Blood Poisoning

Abstract

In addition to the main effect, most poisons also affect the blood to some extent. Substances whose effect on the composition and properties of blood is primary are called hemotropic poisons. They are divided into substances affecting hemopoiesis (benzene, lead compounds, cytostatics), causing hemagglutination (ricin, phasin), affecting blood coagulation (snake venoms, dicumarin), causing hemolysis (arsin, amanitohemolysin) and changing hemoglobin (hemoglobinotropic). In the practice of forensic medicine, poisoning with hemoglobinotropic substances is more common. Hemoglobinotropic poisons are manifested in practice mainly with carbon monoxide and methemoglobin-forming substances.