Homicidal Paraquat Poisoning in Exhumed Case

Abstract

Paraquat is a nonselective herbicide that has been widely used all over the world. However, because of its severe toxicity and lethal effects, its use is no longer allowed in several countries [1,2]. According to a 2008 report of toxic exposures in Korea, the most common cause of intoxication case was pesticide (30.7%), which included fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, miscellaneous pesticides, repellents, rodenticides, and others [3]. Among all these various cases, the most commonly used agent was paraquat (31.0%) [3]. Therefore, the Rural Development Administration, a Korean governmental organization, cancelled the registration of paraquat as an agrochemical, and prohibited by law and made legally punishable its production, storage, sales, and use in 2012. Paraquat is originally an odorless chemical, but a stanching agent or emetic is added into it in order to avoid accidental poisoning [1]. Therefore, it is generally considered difficult to kill someone through oral administration because of its disgusting taste. In our nation, only two homicidal cases of paraquat poisoning by injection, and not by an oral route, have been reported [4]. If a small amount of paraquat is added to spicy foods or a drink with a strong taste, its sickening smell can be veiled. In this case, intentional oral ad-