DOI: 10.36347/sjmcr.2020.v08i04.019

Pages: 485-487

This is a case report of an autopsy conducted at Kolkata Police Morgue. An 18 year old female, was allegedly being physically and mentally tortured for dowry by her husband and family. Ultimately, she took oleander nuts to commit suicide. She was taken to a nursing home in an unconscious state and expired 8 hours later. Medico-legal autopsy was conducted. Externally, conjunctiva was congested. On dissection, brain was congested. On opening the thorax; the larynx and trachea were congested. Both lungs and pleura were congested. Pericardium had extensive sub-epicardial ecchymosis. Patchy sub-endocardial haemorrhage was present on both sides of interventricular septum. On dissecting the abdomen; mouth, pharynx and oesophagus were congested. Stomach was congested and contained partially digested food. Peritoneum, small and large intestine were also congested. Liver showed patchy sub-capsular haemorrhage over upper surface of both lobes. Kidney also showed evidence of medullary haemorrhage. This case report highlights the autopsy findings of a case of Oleander poisoning. Oleander is a cardiac glycoside and has digoxin like effect: they inhibit sodium-potassium ATPase. The cardiac glycosides being oleandrin, neriin, folinerin. Death occurred due to cardio-respiratory failure.