Distribution of dimethoate in the body after a fatal organphosphateintoxication

Many organophosphate pesticides (OPs) such as dimethoate are used to eradicate household pests, and those occurring in agriculture and forestry sectors. Combinations of two or more different insecticides have been manufactured to increase their effectiveness. A case of death is presented as suspected organophosphates intoxication. Autopsy was unremarkable except for grayish fluid in the stomach, with garlicky odor. A systematic toxicological analysis on post-mortem specimens revealed high concentrations of dimethoate in blood 38 μg/mL, urine 0.47 μg/mL, brain 2.2 μg/g, myocardial muscle 7.6 μg/g, liver 4.6 μg/g, lung 7.6 μg/g, skeletal muscle 21 μg/g, kidney 55 μg/g and gall bladder 31 μg/g. Blood alcohol was 2.85 g/L, cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol were also detected in the blood but not quantified. The cause of death was determined as organophosphate intoxication.     

Towards a Comprehensive Legal Aid System in Bangladesh: The Need for Early Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Proceedings

The government-funded legal aid system in Bangladesh has been undergoing development. Bangladesh has guaranteed the right to legal assistance in different laws and particularly in the Legal Aid Services Act (LASA) with specific and greater detail. Moreover, it acceded to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in 2000. In this context, the purpose of this article is to examine the current practice of the country with respect to the granting of early access to legal aid in criminal proceedings in light of international human rights standards. The article indicates that the prevailing problem of arbitrary arrest and pre-trial detention of those who are living in poverty is a matter of grave concern in Bangladesh. The author, therefore, recommends a mechanism to ensure early access to legal aid in the government-operated legal aid framework, as a fundamental aspect of a comprehensive system, for the protection of the interests of those who have been arrested or detained prior to being interviewed and formally charged of a criminal offence.