Abstract :
Purpose: The use of snakes as tool for criminal homicide is an exceedingly rare yet highly deceptive method of murder. This article examines the phenomenon of “Weaponizing” venomous snakes to orchestrate homicides that are often staged as accidental encounters. Perpetrators exploit the deadly nature of snake venom to mask their crimes, presenting significant challenges for law enforcement and forensic professionals. The rapid degradation of venom in the body and absence of clear post-mortem evidence makes it difficult to differentiate between accidental envenomation and homicidal envenomation.The article introduces a forensic guideline designed to raise suspicion of homicidal snakebites based on multiple bites or victims in the same incident. Ultimately, the paper calls for updated forensic protocols and heightened awareness of snake-related homicides to ensure accurate investigation and justice in these unconventional murder cases.Methods: A systematic literature and media review were conducted using terms like “Snake bites” and “Crime” and “homicide” across database such as PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar for articles, Relevant case reports, peer-review articles and forensic publications were analyzed alongside, also verified Online News articles and Court Judgments from publicly accessible portals.Results: It provides a comprehensive overview of the weaponization of venomous snakes in planned homicides, examining real-world case studies, outlining forensic challenges encountered during autopsy and introduces to novel and complex forensic challenges encountered with the homicidal use of snakes as biological weapons in homicides.Conclusion: A forensic guideline designed as “Rule of 2” to raise suspicion of homicidal snakebites based on various factors that needs due consideration in such cases, and advocating for updated investigative protocols to address this emerging and insidious method of murder. Thus, with the proposed specialized investigative techniques, it aids to possibly differentiate accidental bites from homicidal attack, thereby improving the reliability of medico-legal conclusions.
Keyword :
Homicidal snakebite, Venomous snakes, Forensic investigation, Snakebite envenomation, Forensic pathology.