1Professor & Head Department of Forensic Medicine, Govt Medical College, Patiala
2Additional Professor Department of Forensic Medicine, Govt Medical College, Patiala
3Junior Residen Department of Forensic Medicine, Govt Medical College, Patiala
4Junior Resident Department of Forensic Medicine, Govt Medical College, Patiala
November 23 2006, opened a new chapter in toxicology. For the first time, in the history of poisoning it got documented that radioactive substance being used for homicide.
The death of ex-Russian KGB Spy, 43 yrs old, Col Alexander Litvikenko, by radioactive substance, in London's University College Hospital, on November 23, was an eye opener, and created a storm in medical fraternity. Radioactive substance is normally used in nuclear medicine for diagnosis and treatment like radioactive iodine used for thyroid diseases or radioactive thallium used as tracer dining heart scan. BA substance is also used as a weapon of mass destruction; however it ‘as never used earlier for homicide. The case is discussed in detail.
homicide by Radio Active material, spy death
