By Sanskriti Rani Sharma,AFRS Volunteer
ABSTRACT
The case took place in the United States of America,
based in the metropolitan area of Chicago. There was a series of poisoning
deaths resulting from drug tampering in the Chicago area during the year of
1982. The victims consumed Tylenol-branded acetaminophen capsules that had been
laced with potassium cyanide. Seven people died in the
original poisonings, and there were several more deaths in subsequent copycat
crimes. No suspect has been charged or convicted of the poisonings as of now. But
a resident named James William Lewis from New York City was convicted of
extortion for sending a letter to Tylenol’s manufacturer, Johnson and Johnson
Company.
INTRODUCTION
United States of America,
USA, which is known for its industrial boom in respect of all fields, including
pharmacy, was astounded to witness a series of demises that astonished, the
third largest city in the United States, that is none other than Chicago, ‘The
White City’ and ‘The City That Works’. Its long-running Broadway was stunned by
the noxious threat that had spread all over the city, taking its breath.
CASE BRIEF
Location:
Chicago Metropolitan Areas, USA
Date:
September- October 1982
Target:
Retail Consumers
Deaths:
At least 7
Perpetrator:
Unknown
Motive:
Unknown (estimated that they want to cause problems and a sense of threat and
fear in everyone in the city)
Status:
Unsolved (Lack of evidence)
Agency involved:
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Outcomes:
Reforms in the packaging of over-the-counter drugs and to Federal anti-tampering
laws
BACKGROUND
The case often found its
root since the FBI got the news of the death of Janus's lead by another
suspicious death within a stipulated time frame. The connection between all of
the deaths was a consumed pill, namely a Tylenol tablet containing
acetaminophen, that used to relieve mild to moderate pain and fever as well.
CASE SUMMARY
On September 28, 1982, a 12-year-old Mary
Kellerman was hospitalised after taking a contaminated Tylenol capsule. She
died the following day. On September 29, 1982, six other people died after
taking contaminated Tylenol. These include Adam Janus (27), Stanley Janus (20),
Mary McFarland (31), Paula Prince (35) and Mary Reiner (27), who ultimately die
from the consumption of that tablet. A public health concern was created, and a
serious action should be put forth.
INVESTIGATION
The Januses’ deaths were
asked to investigated, and as the investigation started, the Arlington Heights’
only public health official visited the Janus household to find a room for his death.
They discovered a Tylenol bottle with an accompanying receipt indicating it had
been purchased the same day, with at least six pills missing from the bottle.
This causes suspicion of this.
MEDICAL FINDINGS
The investigator, Nice
Pishos, based on his suspicion, asked Dr Edmond R. Donoghue, deputy chief
medical examiner for Cook County, who suspected that cyanide may be the
culprit, as an almond–like scent could be smelled from that bottle, which made
it more authentic.
ROLE OF FORENSIC
CHEMISTRY
Here, after getting the
suspicion on the bottle, they transported it to the chemistry branch in the toxicology
division for the proper examination and exact proof as: -
1.
Identification of poison- The
extra-strength Tylenol capsules should be of acetaminophen and related
derivatives. Instead, the identified poison was potassium cyanide, which is
very toxic to the human body.
2.
Instrumentation used-
They decipher this by using instruments like gas chromatography and mass
spectrometry (GC-MS).
3.
Quantification-
The concentration of cyanide in the capsule was found to be lethal, with some
capsules containing up to 10,000 times the fatal dose.
4.
Source investigation-
This examination answered the biggest question that “When does the
contamination happen during production or at retail locations?” And here we got
the answer that the tampering occurred after they had been distributed to
stores.
PROGRESS IN INVESTIGATION
The capsules that were
manufactured in Pennsylvania and Texas by Johnson and Johnson Company but
purchased from various retail locations in the Chicago area. But due to a lack
of evidence, no suspect was there, the case seemed to have no end.
In 2011, the FBI
requested DNA samples from Ted Kaczynski, also known as the ‘Unabomber’, in
connection with the murders. But not concluded. But due to this chaos that
occurred, the Johnson and Johnson company had taken all the Tylenol tablets
from the market. It was not only a crisis for the company but also for the
States.
REFORMS FOLLOWED
This was a historical
case that produced significant reforms in consumer safety and product packaging
in States: -
1.
Tamper Evident Packaging- The
tragedy led to Federal mandates requiring tamper-evident packaging for Over-the-Counter
(OTC) drugs. Including seals, foil covers and other mechanisms that confirm
that the product is opened or altered.
2.
Capsule Design Changes-
Manufacturers moved away from two-piece capsules, which were easier to open and
tamper with, to solid caplets or gelcaps, which are harder to manipulate.
3.
Federal Anti-Tampering Laws- In
1983, Congress passed the Federal Anti-Tampering Act, making it a federal crime
to tamper with consumer products. The law imposed seven penalties for tampering
or even threatening to tamper with products.
4.
Industry-wide Response- Johnson
and Johnson, Tylenol’s parent company, set a new standard for crisis management
by issuing a nationwide recall of 31 million bottles of Tylenol. This move, though
costly, rebuilt trust in the brand and set a precedent for corporate
responsibility during a crisis.
5.
Public Awareness Campaigns- The
incident heightened consumer awareness about product safety and encouraged
individuals to inspect products for signs of tampering before use.
CONCLUSION
The incident started with
the tampering of Tylenol’s tablets, but spread into various other crimes that occurred
simultaneously in the shadows of this crime. Through many reforms that have
been made, but irrespective of these reforms still the pharmaceutical companies
are still playing with the health of the individual. No matter what cost it
took, a person is very conscious about their health, and if the most trusted
field does not consider such an event, then it could not only be a crisis for
that nation but also become an international concern. Lastly, I just want to
end by saying that,
“WHEREVER THE ART OF
MEDICINE IS LOVED, THERE IS ALSO A LOVE OF HUMANITY.”
REFERENCE
By-
Sanskriti Rani Sharma
Senior Volunteer
Applied Forensic Research Sciences
