Poisoner's Handbook: Chloroform

Study Notes

Composed of 1 Carbon, 1 Hydrogen, and 3 Chlorine atoms.
Characterized by a sweet smell.
Physiological effects include unconsciousness and potential death.
Detection involves chemical extraction from body samples followed by chemical testing to reveal its distinct smell.

Consists of 1 Carbon, 4 Hydrogen, and 1 Oxygen atom.
Causes blindness and death, with effects resembling ethyl alcohol intoxication.
Metabolized in the liver into formaldehyde and formic acid, which damage cells and attack the optic nerve, leading to blindness.
Ultimately fatal due to lung tissue damage.
Detection requires distillation to isolate from other substances, followed by chemical testing for formaldehyde and formic acid.
Notable for being invisible in daylight when burned.

Contains 1 Sodium, 1 Carbon, and 1 Nitrogen atom.
Known for a bitter almond smell, not detectable by everyone.
Causes convulsions and death by preventing oxygen transport in the body.
Detection is done through the Prussian blue test, where chemical reactions produce a characteristic blue color.

Commonly found as arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃), also known as white arsenic.
Symptoms include abdominal pain, seizures, and organ failure, leading to death.
Interferes with cellular metabolism and slows decomposition of bodies.
Detection uses the Marsh test, which involves treating a sample with acid and zinc; presence of arsenic results in a metallic stain.

Includes two forms: Bichloride of mercury (HgCl₂) and mercurous chloride (Hg₂Cl₂).
Appearance resembles shiny silver water but disintegrates upon contact.
Causes a range of symptoms including irritability, memory issues, and mercurial tumors, potentially leading to death.
Detection achieved through chemical precipitation to isolate mercury from the body sample.
Historically linked to "mad hatter's disease," affecting hatmakers who used mercury in their work.

Notable for being odorless, tasteless, and invisible; can lead to distinctive pink skin coloration.
Has toxic effects such as drowsiness, headaches, confusion, and severe coordination loss.
Blood appears bright red as a result of carbon monoxide binding with hemoglobin, impairing oxygen transport.

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