The Case of an unknown substance: pesticide poisoning in homicide

SHERIKA WHITELOCKE-BALLINGSINGH

The Caribbean Poison Information Network, University of Technology, Jamaica

Developing countries are often at risk of pesticide poisoning due to widespread use of pesticides in agriculture. Adults may be exposed to pesticides through accidental or intentional exposure. Organophosphorus pesticide poisoning typically presents three primary syndromes: acute cholinergic syndrome, intermediate syndrome, and delayed polyneuropathy.

This case report describes the incident of a couple who presented to the hospital after prolonged exposure to a carbamate due to intentional poisoning. It highlights the role of the Poison Centre in assessing the patients' symptoms based on the identified syndromes, as well as utilising Poison Centre networks to identify an unknown substance in a case of homicidal poisoning in Jamaica.