Aconite has historically been regarded as an ideal homicidal poison in India chiefly because:

• A It produces characteristic postmortem staining visible at autopsy
• B It is easily detected in routine chemical analysis of viscera
• C It causes delayed death, allowing the assailant time to escape
• D A small dose acts rapidly and it is difficult to detect in decomposed viscera ✓

Explanation

Aconite kills within hours of a very small dose, symptoms begin quickly, and the alkaloid is unstable and notoriously difficult to detect chemically, especially once putrefaction sets in. It was also traditionally administered concealed in paan or sweets to mask its taste. These properties, not detectability or delayed action, made it the classic homicidal vegetable poison described by Modi and Parikh.

Reference: Modi's Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology, 23rd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.