Homicidal nitrobenzene poisoning - a case report and review of literature

Nitrobenzene is an organic compound that has use in multiple industries, whether it is in manufacture of aniline (in printing ink) or in soaps/shoes/metal polishes or as a solvent etc. As a result of its widespread use and easy availability, accidental and suicidal poisoning is not uncommon. However, homicidal poisoning has been rarely reported due to nitrobenzene poisoning, probably due to the bitter almond odour of nitrobenzene. Here, we report a case of homicidal nitrobenzene poisoning which had been administered along with alcohol to mask the smell of nitrobenzene.