Trends in the analysis of abrin poisoning for forensic purposes.

Abrus precatorius is a poisonous plant known since ancient times. Accidental poisoning is more common due to the intake of plant seeds containing deadly abrin which is a highly toxic and a thermolabile plant toxalbumin. Abrin has also been reported to be a potential chemical agent that can be used as bioweapon in military or terrorism. Abrin is a ribosome inactivating protein that contains multiple isotoxic forms of protein subunits called chain A and B. The identification of this toxalbumin in the plant is important to determine cause of death in poisoning cases. Therefore, the present review focuses on the structure, mode of administration, tokicokinetics, extraction procedures and forensic analysis of abrin and other constituents. It is observed that most of the researchers have utilized immunological methods for the detection of plant components. This technique has proved to be more sensitive, reliable and accurate for the detection of extremely low concentrations of toxin.

Forensic entomotoxicology: Current concepts, trends and challenges.

The application of forensic entomotoxicology in investigations of death by poisoning has gained popularity as insects serves as an alternative specimen (evidence) when conventional toxicological samples have degraded or are no longer available. Successful detection, identification, and quantification of drugs and toxic substances from insects have been demonstrated through various research experiments. In the present review paper, role of insects as toxicological sample, its collection and preservation, analysis using various instrumental techniques, and trends in the use of analytical techniques have been discussed. Limitations hindering the growth of this field and the way forward for future studies have been highlighted. In addition, the effect of poisons on insects used for postmortem interval estimation has been described.