Poison Bullet

Gill, C.E. and K.M. Langelier. 1994. Acute lead poisoning in a bald eagle secondary to bullet ingestion. Canad. Veterin. Jour. 35 303-304. 

DETAILS - Colchicine is a plant drug used in the treatment of gout. It is a very efficient poison in view of its very low toxic dose and the fact that an autopsy will show only the symptoms of acute gastroenteritis. This does not, however, mean it is undetectable. It only means that it is likely to be overlooked. It is also very useful as a dart poison, especially when nicotine is used as a binder. Colchicine is great for small caliber (,22)bullets, as they usually won t hold enough of most other poisons to do any good. It dissolves slowly in water, but faster in dilute ethanol (liquor). As with any plant alkaloid, it is best to harvest the... 

Stop Two - Use a hypodermic syringe with the needle filed fiat, to inject the proper amount of toxin into the bullet. Only liquid toxins are suitable for this, one of the best being nicotine. Solutions of solid toxins also as aconitine or colchicine (i.e.-low dosage) are also excellent. Cyanides are not very good as they have a tendency to decompose rather rapidly when in Nolution. Any cyanide-filled bullets would therefore have an uncertain shelf life. To make the solutions needeed from a powdered poison, measure the dose of powder into a test tube and add the appropriate solvent drop by drop until all of the powder is dis-... 

Poison Bullet 3 Modified Glaser Safety Slug... 

The toxic effects of lead on animals other than humans and on plants have been less extensively studied. One area of special concern, however, relates to animals that are hunted and killed for sport. Studies have shown, for example, that seven times more waterfowl die as a result of lead poisoning from lead in bullets than from gunshots by human hunters. For this reason, manufacturers of ammunition are finding substitutes for the lead that had previously been the primary component of most bullets. 

The use of activation analysis in criminal investigations (forensic activation analysis) is also well established. The basic idea here is to match the trace-element distributions found in bullets, paint, oil, and so on found at the scene of a crime with the trace-element distributions in objects found with criminal suspects. Such identification is rapid and nondestructive (allowing the actual evidence to be presented in court). Moreover, the probability of its correctness can be ascertained quantitatively. Other prominent examples of the use of forensic activation analysis involve confirmation of the notion that Napoleon was poisoned (by finding significant amounts of arsenic in hair from his head) and the finding that the activation analysis of the wipe samples taken from a suspect s hand can reveal not only if he or she has fired a gun recently but also the type of gun and ammunition used. 

Less common and unusual projectiles, such as exploding bullets saboted subcaliber bullets flare loads wax, rubber, plastic, and wooden bullets frangible bullets tear gas bullets and canisters baton rounds flechette cartridges poisoned bullets multiple loads shot loads for pistols and revolvers and other special purpose projectile types, are known and are occasionally encountered in forensic casework. 

The concept of a poison contained within a bullet is not new and has been experimented with over a long period of time. As all poisons, in the quantities capable of being administered via a bullet, take some time to kill, the tactical use of such ammunition is of limited military or civilian use. However, it is an attractive concept for an assassin. If the bullet itself fails to kill, the backup system of the poison offers a twofold method of attack. 

A poisoned bullet containing about 38 mg of aconitin (a vegetable alkaloid 4 mg is a lethal dose) was manufactured in the former Soviet Union. 

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