Facial appearance differentiating suicidal and homicidal cases:
In homicidal cases trickling of eschars extend to the back of the neck and shoulders.
Diagnostic symptoms:
Initial burning pain and vomiting that disappears after sometimes.
- Vomiting has characteristic odor.
Diagnostic sign
C.N.S. manifestations as irritability and convulsions (due to initial stimulation) ending with coma, asphyxia and cyanosis which is due to central effect by depression of respiratory center in the CNS
pupil constricted then dilated.
- Renal manifestations as oligurea and casts in the urine.
- The color of the urine changed green on exposure to air due to oxidation of hydroquinons (an oxidation product of phenol).
Post mortem picture:
Brownish eschars around the mouth with characteristic smell of phenol.
- Thickning of gastric and esophageal wall and exaggerated mucusal wall due to coagulative necrosis.
- Kidney shows glomerulonphrities.