Question:
Two farmers were brought dead, autopsy done revealed viscera that had the smell of bitter almonds. The most likely poisoning is due to that by?
Two farmers were brought dead, autopsy done revealed viscera that had the smell of bitter almonds. The most likely poisoning is due to that by?
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A bitter almond smell on the viscera at autopsy is the classic sign of cyanide (hydrocyanic acid) poisoning.
Updated On: Jul 8, 2026
- Organophosphorus
- Hydrocyanic acid
- Morphine
- Atropine
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The key clue in this question is the smell of bitter almonds coming from the viscera at autopsy. We need to match this smell to a specific poison.
Step 2: Key Concept:
A smell of bitter almonds on the viscera or breath is the classic and most tested sign of cyanide poisoning, and hydrocyanic acid, also called prussic acid, is a cyanide compound.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Cyanide works by binding tightly to cytochrome c oxidase inside mitochondria, which blocks the last enzyme of the electron transport chain, so cells cannot use oxygen even though it is present in the blood, this is called histotoxic or cytotoxic hypoxia.
Because of this, death from cyanide can happen very fast, within minutes to a couple of hours, which fits the scenario of farmers being found already dead.
Farmers often have access to cyanide containing pesticides and rodenticides, or to compounds like potassium cyanide used in some agricultural and industrial settings, making accidental or suicidal cyanide poisoning plausible in this context.
At autopsy, the smell of bitter almonds is a well known and specific finding for cyanide, though it should be noted not everyone can detect this smell due to a genetic difference in the ability to smell cyanide.
Step 4: Why the other options are wrong:
Organophosphorus poisoning gives a garlic like odor, along with pinpoint pupils, excessive salivation and sweating, and muscle fasciculations, not a bitter almond smell.
Morphine poisoning causes pinpoint pupils and severe respiratory depression but has no characteristic odor on the viscera.
Atropine poisoning causes dilated pupils, dry flushed skin, and delirium, again with no bitter almond odor.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The bitter almond smell on the viscera points to hydrocyanic acid, meaning cyanide poisoning.
The key clue in this question is the smell of bitter almonds coming from the viscera at autopsy. We need to match this smell to a specific poison.
Step 2: Key Concept:
A smell of bitter almonds on the viscera or breath is the classic and most tested sign of cyanide poisoning, and hydrocyanic acid, also called prussic acid, is a cyanide compound.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Cyanide works by binding tightly to cytochrome c oxidase inside mitochondria, which blocks the last enzyme of the electron transport chain, so cells cannot use oxygen even though it is present in the blood, this is called histotoxic or cytotoxic hypoxia.
Because of this, death from cyanide can happen very fast, within minutes to a couple of hours, which fits the scenario of farmers being found already dead.
Farmers often have access to cyanide containing pesticides and rodenticides, or to compounds like potassium cyanide used in some agricultural and industrial settings, making accidental or suicidal cyanide poisoning plausible in this context.
At autopsy, the smell of bitter almonds is a well known and specific finding for cyanide, though it should be noted not everyone can detect this smell due to a genetic difference in the ability to smell cyanide.
Step 4: Why the other options are wrong:
Organophosphorus poisoning gives a garlic like odor, along with pinpoint pupils, excessive salivation and sweating, and muscle fasciculations, not a bitter almond smell.
Morphine poisoning causes pinpoint pupils and severe respiratory depression but has no characteristic odor on the viscera.
Atropine poisoning causes dilated pupils, dry flushed skin, and delirium, again with no bitter almond odor.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The bitter almond smell on the viscera points to hydrocyanic acid, meaning cyanide poisoning.
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