INDEPENDENT RESEARCH (2): Forensics/Poison

 Independent Research (2): Forensics/Poison.

forensic

/fəˈrɛnsɪk/

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noun

plural noun: forensics

1. scientific tests or techniques used in connection with the detection of crime.

   • INFORMAL

     a laboratory or department responsible for forensic tests.

     adjective: forensic

   
   
2. (sourced as google's definition)
3. 
   

Forensic scientists, at a crime scene, collect human cells from either the hair, saliva, clothing fibres, tyre marks, glass fragments and/or blood. From this, they extract DNA, analyse it, and create a DNA profile (a way of determining an individual's characteristics, identifying its origin or parentage). 

Post-mortem usually takes place within 2-3 working days of one's passing.

Within forensic science, there are multiple sub-fields. These include:

Source - forensicsdigest.com

--> Fingerprints; the lifting, development and preservation of them (used to discover source and compare)

--> Ballistics; examines samples of anything in relation to firearms/projectiles.

--> Forensic biology & serology; examines biological samples (bones, fibres, hairs, diatoms) and serological samples (semen, saliva etc.)

--> Forensic DNA analysis; analyses DNA/tests paternity in biological evidence

--> Forensic toxicology; identifies poison, drugs, alcohol (particularly poison)

--> Drugs and narcotics; examines narcotics/psychotropic substances which fall under NDPS act 

--> Questioned document; evaluates documents for authenticity, studying handwriting, ink, stamps etc.

--> Explosives; chemical tests for explosives/explosive residue 

--> Physics; footprints, glass fragments, tyre marks, cement etc.

--> Digital forensic; analyses mobile phone/DVD/hard disk/any memory device

--> Photography; takes photos at the crime scene

--> Forensic psychology; polygraphs, personality assessments, criminal profiling etc.

The three sections of forensic toxicology are: postmortem, drug testing, and human performance.

The chemicals that forensic toxicologists look out for are: alcohol, illegal or prescription drugs, other chemicals, poisons, metals, gases

The most common forms of poison used in homicide are: arsenic, atropine, strychnine, cyanide, and thallium.

In our opening sequence, Daphne Mezereon will most likely be our poison. The toxic diterpene is Mezerein found in the sap. 

Severe symptoms can occur within hours, such as; choking (usually upon first consuming), difficulty in swallowing, abdominal pain, headache, nausea, bloody diarrhea and muscular twitching.

SYMPTOMS

Warning signs that someone has been poisoned (sourced by medlineplus.gov)

--> Very large or very small pupils

--> Rapid or very slow heartbeat 

--> Rapid or very slow breathing

--> Drooling or very dry mouth 

--> Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea 

--> Sleepiness or hyperactivity 

--> Confusion 

--> Slurred speech

--> Uncoordinated movements or difficulty walking

-->Difficulty urinating 

--> Loss of bowel or bladder control

--> Burns or redness of the lips and mouth, caused by drinking poison 

--> Chemical-smelling breath

--> Chemical burns or stains on the person, clothing or around the person

--> Chest pain

--> Headache 

--> Loss of vision 

--> Spontaneous bleeding 

Upon research into poisons that are overlooked in an autopsy, ricin, extracted from castor beans serves as very possible option as to a substance that can be added into the berry mixture as the berries alone would not prove strong and quick enough to cause fatality. Examples of symptoms include: fever, cough, nausea, tightness in chest and heavy sweating. However, it does take 36-72 hours to work wholly. 

Below is a video briefly explaining the process of an autopsy as a summary: