When was Munir poisoned?

So far we have been focusing on the search for perpetrators of the poisoning of rights campaigner Munir, with less attention paid to the exact time when arsenic entered the victim's body.

Based on one chemical textbook I read, the toxic dose of arsenic is 100 milligrams. Taken as a drink, arsenic produces poisoning symptoms after 30 to 60 minutes, and as food after 12 hours.

In salt form, arsenic dissolves easily in water, but in oxide form, it takes a longer time and its absorption by the body depends on the size of granules consumed. The form of arsenic taken can only be determined by an autopsy, but sadly, Munir's family objects to this examination.

In theory, arsenic poisoning may result in death within an hour, but usually death only occurs after 24 hours. Therefore, we need to estimate when the poison entered the body, such as the assumption that it was consumed before his plane took off from Jakarta, during the Jakarta-Singapore flight, while in transit at Singapore or during the Singapore-Amsterdam flight. Munir's whereabouts 24 hours before his death should also be noted.

An autopsy is also needed to determine whether his death was caused by acute poisoning or a combination of acute and chronic poisoning. Arsenic will remain detectable in bones and hair for years after death, while hair begins to absorb arsenic two weeks after arsenic enters the body.

SUNARTO PRAWIROSUJANTO, Jakarta