Question

What poison will you detect in skeleton even after emaciation ?

• A. Lead
• B. Arsenic
• C. Mercury
• D. Cadmium

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

To determine which poison can be detected in a skeleton even after emaciation, it's important to consider the properties of various toxic substances and their behavior in the human body. When the body decays, some elements can remain detectable in bones due to their chemical stability and affinity for bone tissue. Let's evaluate the options:

• Lead: While lead can accumulate in bones, it may not be the most detectable long after emaciation due to its redistribution during life.
  
• Arsenic: Arsenic binds strongly to keratin and can incorporate into bone mineral, making it detectable in bones even long after tissue decay. Its presence in skeletal remains has been utilized in forensic analyses.
  
• Mercury: Mercury does not accumulate in bone tissue as significantly as arsenic; it prefers soft tissues and may not be detectable after extensive decomposition.
  
• Cadmium: Cadmium can deposit in the liver and kidneys primarily, not significantly in bone. While bone contact occurs, it isn't typically used as an archival marker after extensive decay.
  

Given this analysis, Arsenic is the correct answer, as it remains a detectable element in bones even after the body has undergone emaciation and extensive decomposition.