A 35-year-old woman ingests an unknown substance. On examination she has hemorrhagic brownish-black discoloration of lips and oral mucosa, but NO evidence of charring. Gastric lavage returns a dark fluid with a strong pungent odour. Autopsy of a similar victim reveals necrosis of the gastric mucosa with a characteristic leathery brownish-black appearance. Which poison is MOST consistent with these findings?
- A Hydrochloric acid
- B Nitric acid
- C Sulphuric acid ✓
- D Carbolic acid (phenol)
Correct answer: C. Sulphuric acid
Explanation
Concentrated sulphuric acid causes coagulative necrosis with a characteristic brownish-black, leathery (inspissated) appearance due to the powerful dehydrating and oxidizing action on tissues; the pungent odour is that of SO₂ released. Nitric acid produces xanthoproteic reaction giving yellow staining due to nitration of proteins. Hydrochloric acid causes grey-white corrosion. Carbolic acid (phenol) causes a white-pink coagulative necrosis with a distinctive phenolic smell and systemic absorption effects including dark urine.
Reference: The Essentials of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology (Narayan Reddy), 34th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.