Detection and Identification of Tranquilizer in Biological and Non-Biological Samples in Case of Tigress with History of Homicide

Abstract

: In India, Tigers, Leopards or any wild animals are inhibited in human dominated area to prevent harm to people as well as wild animals. If any wild animals enter in human dominated area, in such cases to save human beings from wild animals like Tigers, generally emergency immobilizations have to be carried with anesthetic drug i.e ., ketamine and xylazine. Usually their mixture is used for immobilization of wild animals. A rare case of Tigress with attempt of immobilization using dart of anesthetic drug was received first time in forensic science laboratory, Nagpur for simultaneous detection of ketamine and xylazine in biological and non biological samples. As per routine toxiclogical analysis of biological (Viscera, Muscle, Skin and blood) and non-biological (Dart with Needle) samples was performed by thin layer chromatography and confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GCMS). The TLC and GC-MS examination revealed presence of anesthetic drug Ketamine and Xylazine in muscle piece, skin piece and dart with needle.