Between death and examination, and the instability of some poisons, negative results may be obtained

even if at the time of death certain poisons are present.

INTERPRETATION OF TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

Reasons for Negative Results of the Toxicological Examination

1. Some poisons may be rapidly altered in the body to a form that his not detectable by the
methods of analysis employed.

2. Some poisons with or without previous chemical change may be rapidly excreted although its
toxic effect remains and may only be detectable in the urine but not in the body tissue or organ.

3. Sometimes symptoms of poisoning may appear, which may be fatal following the administration
of even small and ordinarily harmless quantity of a substance as poison.
Lesson 12.

Forensic questions for the toxicologist to answer or explain.