Human Fatality Due to Thallium Poisoning: Autopsy, Microscopy, and Mass Spectrometry Assays^,

Abstract

Thallium has been responsible for many intoxications since its discovery; however, toxicological profiles for thallium in human fatalities have not been updated recently. Autopsy, microscopic investigations, and toxicological analyses were performed on a married couple who died from thallium sulfate intended homicidal poisoning. The distribution of thallium was established by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with hair samples showing the highest thallium concentration. Electron microscopy revealed a dystrophic condition of hair with disorganized cuticle and atrophy of the hair bulb. Thallium interacts with cells at different levels, with prominent ultrastructural injuries in the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum, and high concentration of electron dense granules observed in the cytoplasm and mitochondria of several organs. Alopecia, toxic encephalopathy, and peripheral neuropathy were diagnosed in the victims and suggested to be crucial implications for thallium poisoning. The analytical procedures used in this case are of considerable forensic importance in the diagnosis of thallium poisoning.

Alopecia and Associated Toxic Agents: A Systematic Review

“…Less commonly, hair loss following thallium exposure may occur over a shorter time course. For example, Li et al [5] reported the start of hair loss in a 49-year-old female 7 days after the onset of polyneuropathy following malicious thallium poisoning. Namba et al [11] also reported hair loss 1 week after the ingestion of thallium in 3 out of 5 patients.…”

“…Microscopic examination of anagen hairs should reveal tapered, pigmented hair bulbs, with attached root sheathes, as compared to telogen hairs which demonstrate a club-shaped bulb with no pigment or root sheath [64]. Multiple cases involving thallium, colchicine, and selenium toxicity report anagen hairs with or without dystrophic follicles on trichoscopy, light microscopy, and scanning microscopy [5, 6, 31, 37, 42, 64-66]. Unfortunately, many reported cases did not initially present to dermatology and microscopic examination of the hair was not completed.…”

Thallium toxicity due to audultered infusion with thallium sulfate in eight members belonging to the same family nucleus: Autopsy findings and ICP-MS analysis (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) in a triple homicide

“…Thallium is a toxic "heavy metal" [15] that can be found in low concentrations [16] in several minerals of the Earth crust [13] and used in many industries: bijous [17], photography and optical lenses [18], dyeing and pigments [17], concrete industries [6], waxing products [19] and for green fireworks [20] that take advantage of the spectral emissions of this element [21].…”

What every dentist must know about forensic odontology: An overview

“…Cheiloscopy (lip morphology and thickness) and smile photograph analysis deals with the study of elevations and depressions which form a characteristic pattern on the external surface of the lips are also used to determine age and gender in forensic dentistry [2,14,[21][22][23]. Because teeth can be an important deposit of exogenous substances accumulated both in the pulp and in the calcified tissues, they are an invaluable source of data from a toxicological point of view [24]. Substantial postmortem changes elude accurate estimate of the time of death.…”