FORENSIC CHEMISTRY & TOXICOLOGY
Q1. Which of the following is
an inebriant poison?
a. Opium
b. Alcohol
c. Organophosphorus
d. Barbiturate
ANSWER:
b. alcohol
EXPLANATION:
An inebriant poison refers to a
substance that causes intoxication or drunkenness when ingested. Among the
options provided, alcohol (ethanol) is the only substance known for its
inebriating effects.
Q2. Assertion (A): Breath
analysers work by a type of chemical reaction called oxidation/ reduction.
Reason (R): The breath changes to greenish colour depending upon
the quantity of alcohol in breath.
a.
Both A and R are false.
b.
Both A and R are true.
c.
A is correct but R is false.
d.
A is false but R is correct.
ANSWER:
c. A is correct but R is false
EXPLANATION:
Assertion (A) is true. Breath
analysers, particularly those used for detecting alcohol (such as in breath analyser tests for determining blood alcohol concentration), often operate based on
oxidation/reduction reactions. These devices typically utilize a sensor that
reacts with alcohol present in the breath, causing a chemical reaction that
generates an electrical signal. This signal is then measured to determine the
concentration of alcohol in the breath sample.
Reason (R) is not accurate. The
change in color of breath is not typically used as a method for determining the
quantity of alcohol in the breath in breath analyzer tests. Instead, as
mentioned above, breath analyzers rely on chemical reactions such as oxidation/reduction
to detect alcohol levels.
Q3. Rectified spirit cannot be
used for preserving the viscera in case of
a. Aconite poisoning
b. Organophosphorus poisoning
c. Heavy metals poisoning
d. Opiate poisoning
ANSWER:
b. organophosphorus poisoning
EXPLANATION:
Organophosphorus compounds,
commonly found in pesticides and nerve agents, are known to undergo hydrolysis
in the presence of water or water-based solvents. Since rectified spirit
contains a high percentage of alcohol (ethanol), it lacks the necessary water
content to adequately hydrolyze organophosphorus compounds, which can lead to
incomplete detoxification of the sample.
Q4. Organochloro pesticides
inhibit the action of
a. Acetylcholinesterase
b. GABA- (Gamma aminobutyric Acid) receptors
c. Cholinesterase
d. Acetylcholine
ANSWER:
a. GABA- (Gamma aminobutyric Acid) receptors
EXPLANATION:
Organochloro pesticides generally
effect the function of sodium and calcium channels and transporters as well as
interfering with gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission by blocking
specific GABA receptors.
Q5. Main components of High
explosive ‘Picratol’ is
a. TNT and PETN
b. TNT and Ammonium picrate
c. RDX and Ammonium picrate
d. Ammonium nitrate and Ammonium picrate
ANSWER:
b. TNT and Ammonium picrate
EXPLANATION:
Picratol is a high explosive
mixture, comprising of TNT and ammonium picrate. It was exclusively intended
for military use during Second World War.
Q6. Assertion (A): Free
sulphuric acid is rarely found in stomach contents in acid poisoning case.
Reason (R): Because either it
is vomited out or neutralized by alkalies given as antidotes.
a. Both A and R are incorrect
b. A is correct, but R is incorrect
c. Both A and R are correct
d. A is incorrect, but R is correct
ANSWER:
c. Both A and R are correct
EXPLANATION:
Sulfuric acid is a strong acid
that is highly corrosive and can cause severe damage to the stomach lining,
leading to vomiting or neutralization by alkalies given as antidotes. Vomiting
is a common response to ingesting a corrosive substance like sulfuric acid, and
alkalies are often administered as antidotes to neutralize the acid and reduce
its harmful effects.
Q7. Heroin is easily
differentiated from its cutting agents by
a. Colour/spot test
b. Thin layer chromatography
c. Uv-Vis spectrophotometry
d. IR spectrophotometry
ANSWER:
b. Thin Layer chromatography
EXPLANATION:
By comparing the separation
pattern or retention factors (Rf values) of the components in the sample with
those of known standards, heroin can be differentiated from its cutting agents
or other substances present in the mixture.
Q8. Quantitative estimation of
ethyl alcohol can be done properly in
1. Urine
2. Saliva
3. Blood
4. Perspiration
Codes:
a. 1 and 2
b. 1 and 3
c. 2 and 3
d. 3 and 4
ANSWER:
c. 2 and 3
EXPLANATION:
Quantitative estimation of ethyl
alcohol can be done properly in both saliva (option 2) and blood (option 3).
Urine (option 1) may contain
metabolites of alcohol, but it is not typically used for quantitative
estimation of ethyl alcohol itself.
Perspiration (option 4) is not
commonly used for the quantitative estimation of ethyl alcohol. Ethyl alcohol
is primarily excreted through urine and metabolized in the liver, so blood and
saliva are more commonly used for this purpose.
Q9. In death due to alcohol
poisoning, blood for chemical analysis should be preferably collected from
a. Heart
b. Axillary or femoral vein
c. Pleural cavity
d. Abdominal cavity
ANSWER:
b. Axillary or femoral vein
EXPLANATION:
In cases of death due to alcohol
poisoning, blood for chemical analysis should preferably be collected from the
axillary (armpit) or femoral (thigh) vein. These sites are commonly used for
blood collection in forensic investigations because they provide access to
large blood vessels and are less likely to be affected by post-mortem changes
or contamination compared to other body sites.
Q10. The toxic effects of
heavy metals such as lead and mercury are primarily associated with their
accumulation in which organ?
a. Liver
b. Kidneys
c. Lungs
d. Heart
ANSWER:
b. Kidneys
EXPLANATION:
The toxic effects of heavy metals
such as lead and mercury are primarily associated with their accumulation in
the kidneys. Both lead and mercury are known nephrotoxins, meaning they have
harmful effects on the kidneys.
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