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Results of the analysis of biological materials originating from the body of general Sikorski are presented in the paper. Samples of the liver, kidney, intestine and lung were analysed for metals and As content, and samples of the lung, liver, kidney, stomach, intestine and bone marrow--for diatoms presence. The analysis for metals and As was performed by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Before the analysis, the samples were wet digested by the classic and microwave assisted method. The analysis did not result in detecting the presence of As, Co, Ni, and Tl in any of the studied materials, while Hg was not revealed in the liver, intestines and lung and Pb in the intestines and lung. The content of Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Sr and Zn in all the studied materials, Hg in the kidney, and Pb in the liver and kidney did not indicate poisoning by the above-mentioned metals or arsenic. No diatoms were found in the studied materials.

In expert opinions about poisonings by inorganic compounds, difficulties may arise that are associated with unavailability of data on concentrations of metals and non-metals in various biological materials, occurring normally and in poisoning cases, lack of appropriate material for analysis and lack of screening methods of analysis. Furthermore, the nature of the inorganic compound itself, its mode of action and metabolism in the organism may cause problems. This paper mainly focuses on the issue of appropriate selection of materials for analysis, on the basis of selected poisoning cases.