Identification of zinc phosphide in a falsely labeled rodenticide bait.
Azoury, M
Deputy Head, Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, and Head, Toolmarks and Materials Laboratory, respectively, Division of Identification & Forensic Science, Israel Police National Headquarters, Jerusalem.

Levin, N
Deputy Head, Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, and Head, Toolmarks and Materials Laboratory, respectively, Division of Identification & Forensic Science, Israel Police National Headquarters, Jerusalem.


Abstract
“Kela” is a commercial rodenticide bait commonly used in Israel, made of wheat grains, which, according to its label, contains chlorophacinone. This product was involved in the death case of a man in which the victim's female companion was accused of assisting in this suicide and was subsequently convicted. Analysis of the wheat grains revealed zinc phosphide, whose use is restricted to authorized exterminators only, instead of chlorophacinone. Zinc phosphide was identified using microscopic examination, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD).

Keywords:
chlorophacinone, forensic science, poisoning, suicide, trace evidence, zinc phosphide

Paper ID: CH35693X

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Author Azoury M, Levin N Title Identification of zinc phosphide in a falsely labeled rodenticide bait. Symposium , Committee on