Two victims of vitriolage are examined. The first has greyish-black charred, parchment-like skin over the face. The second has yellowish discolouration of the stained skin. The second victim was most likely attacked with:

• A Nitric acid ✓
• B Hydrochloric acid
• C Sulfuric acid
• D Carbolic acid

Explanation

Nitric acid is a strong oxidizing acid that produces xanthoproteic reaction, giving the skin a characteristic yellow stain that later turns brownish. Sulfuric acid chars tissue and leaves a greyish-black eschar, as in the first victim. Hydrochloric acid causes brownish discolouration, and carbolic acid produces a white soft slough with a characteristic phenolic odour rather than yellow staining.

Reference: Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.