Icard Tests

ICARD TESTS (Icard), proposed by I. (1907) for determining the onset of death. They consist of the following: 1. If death has not occurred, there is circulation; therefore, the sclera and skin are colored yellow by intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intravenous injection of 5-6 cc of solution: Fluorescini 10.0, Natr. bicarb. 15.0, Aq. destill. 50.0. If there is discoloration, the body must be placed in a dark room to prevent hemolysis, which fluorescein produces in light. French authors strongly recommend this test. In the USSR it was not used (requires verification).-2. Signs (letters, drawings) are applied to white paper with a solution of lead acetate 10.0:20.0 Aqua destillat. The paper, rolled into a tube, is inserted into the nose of the subject being examined. If death has occurred, the signs will appear (blacken) from the conversion of lead acetate to lead sulfate, since even in the initial stages of decomposition, hydrogen sulfide is released through the respiratory passages. The test is of little value, since postmortem phenomena (hypostases, rigor mortis) appear earlier than decomposition, and in addition, hydrogen sulfide can be released through the upper respiratory passages in a living person.