Fatal nitrobenzene poisoning: Some case reports and medicolegal aspects.

ABSTRACT

Nitrobenzene is a synthetic organic compound, pale yellow in colour, freely soluble in alcohol, with a pleasant odour like that of bitter almonds or shoe polish. It is widely used in chemical industry, and is present in commercial products such as shoe and metal polish, ink, paint remover and soap. Poisoning due to nitrobenzene is usually chronic in nature, mainly due to occupational exposure, except for a few acute cases of industrial accidents or suicides. We report three cases of fatal nitrobenzene poisoning through oral ingestion. All persons consumed alcohol prior to, or along with nitrobenzene. The alleged manner of poisoning was different in every case (one case each of homicide, suicide and accident). Clinical features, autopsy findings and medicolegal aspects of nitrobenzene poisoning are discussed.