FORENSIC AND ANALYTICAL CONSIDERATION TO HERBAL INTOXICATION CASES

Abstract

As a self-medication method, there is an increasing interest in herbal products in the recent years. Some herbal extracts were consumed uncontrollably either directly or as a drug form. Numerous researches on some specific plant extracts have been conducted related with their medical importance and are still being done against various illnesses. These two consequences lead to misinterpretation and induce the prevalence of intoxication or fatal cases resulting from the power of the media recently.

It is obviously seen that, these cases are representing the misunderstanding of the herbal treatments by the community. Promoting the awareness to the potential toxicity of the related plants among the public may help to reduce the incidence of herbal intoxication.

This presentation consists of most commonly encountered cases in our institute evaluated in the frame of forensic toxicology and analytical aspects. Biological samples collected by emergency staff are crucial in these cases.  Herbal products causing poisoning are also having evidential value for toxicological evaluation. Analytical techniques such as Gas and Liquid Chromatography, extraction methods, type of the specimen and trained laboratory staff are important elements.  

Keywords

• FORENSIC AND ANALYTICAL CONSIDERATION TO HERBAL INTOXICATION CASES

Kaynakça

1. Zeynep TURKMEN
2. Istanbul University, Institute of Forensic Sciences, 34098, Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkiye