Physical Manifestations of Some Poisons


type of poison


caustic poison/lye

carbon monoxide


sulfuric acid

hydrochloric acid

nitric acid

silver salts


copper sulfate

phosphorous

cyanide

ammonia, vinegar, lysol

arsenic,mercury, lead salts

methyl/isopropyl alcohols
symptoms/evidence

burns around the lips/mouth of victim

red or pink patches on the chest and thighs.
unusually bright red lividity.

black vomit

greenish-brown vomit

yellow vomit

white vomit turning dark upon exposure
to sunlight

blue-green vomit

coffee-brown vomit, onion or garlic odor

characteristc odors

burnt almond odor, cyanosis

pronounced diarrhea

if not dead, nausea and vomiting,
unconsciousness, possible blindness

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