Selected Political Criminal Poisonings in the Years 1978–2020: Detection and Treatment

Abstract

Criminal poisonings are among the least frequently detected crimes in the world. Lack of suspicion of this type of event by police officers and prosecutors, clinical symptoms imitating many somatic diseases and technical difficulties in diagnostics, as well as high research costs make the actual frequency of these events difficult to estimate. The substance used for criminal poisoning is often characterized by: lack of taste, color and smell, delayed action, easy availability and difficulty to detect. The aim of the study was to analyze selected cases of political poisoning that took place in the years 1978–2020, to describe the mechanisms of action of the substances used and to evaluate the diagnosis and treatment. The analyzed cases of criminal poisoning concerned: Georgi Markov (ricin), Khalid Maszal (fentanyl), Wiktor Yushchenko (TCDD dioxin), Jasir Arafat (polonium 210Po isotope), Alexander Litvinenko (polonium 210Po isotope), Kim Jong-Nam (VX), Sergei Skripal (Novichok) and Alexei Navalny (Novichok). Contemporary poisons, to a greater extent than in the past, are based on the use of synthetic substances from the group of organophosphorus compounds and radioactive substances. The possibility of taking appropriate and effective treatment in such cases is the result of many factors, including the possibility of quick and competent rescue intervention, quick and reliable detection of the toxic substance and the possibility of using an antidote.

Trauma-toxicology: concepts, causes, complications

“…Nonetheless, chemical weapons have been utilized in a number of subsequent conflicts, terrorist attacks, or assassinations (Ganesan et al 2010 ). The most recent incidents include the murder of Kim Jong-nam (VX) and the attempted killings of Sergei Skripal and Alexei Navalny (both with Novichok) (Brunka et al 2022 ).…”

Identification and Biological Evaluation of a Novel Small-Molecule Inhibitor of Ricin Toxin

“…Ricin is derived from the seeds of the castor bean plant and just 1.78 milligrams can be fatal to adults [1]. Due to its accessibility, simple extraction process, and high stability, the toxin has become a worldwide concern regarding potential bioterrorism attacks and political assassinations [2,3]. Furthermore, as a common oilseed crop, castor seeds are widely cultivated around the world, and the ingestion of castor seeds often leads to intoxication incidents [4].…”

Human CYP2C19 Substrate and Inhibitor Characterization of Organophosphate Pesticides

“…These OPs can induce both acute and chronic symptoms upon human exposure and may lead to death upon accidental or intentional exposure . Accidental exposure to organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) leads to an estimated 385 million acute pesticide poisonings per year, resulting in approximately 11,000 deaths, while intentional exposure through ingestion accounts for at least one-in-seven global suicides and an additional 100,000–168,000 deaths per year. , The past decade alone has seen several high-profile attacks with OP CWNAs including the use of sarin during the Syrian civil war in 2013, the assassination of Kim Jong-nam with VX in 2017, multiple poisonings and one fatality in 2018 related to the use of a Novichok agent in the UK, and the Novichok-poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. , Treatment for OP poisoning includes stabilization of breathing, the administration of the anticholinergic medication atropine, and in the US the administration of the acetyl­cholinesterase (AChE) reactivator pralidoxime, the efficacy of which has been highly contested, while in other countries, obidoxime or HI-6 are used. , …”