KUALA LUMPUR: Police have identified the type of chemical used in the murder of Kim Jong-nam as the highly toxic, banned VX-nerve agent.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the Centre for Chemical Weapons Analysis at the Chemistry Department carried out preliminary tests to identify the type of chemical used in the murder.
"The centre did dry swabs on the eyes and face of the victim.
"The chemical substance on the exhibits has been identified as VX-Nerve-Agent," Khalid said in a statement on Friday.
He added that VX is classified as a chemical weapon under the Schedule 1 of the Chemical Weapons Convention Act 2005 and Chemical Weapons Convention Act 1997.
"Other exhibits are still being analysed," he said.
Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was killed after two women splashed a chemical on his face at the KL International Airport 2 on Feb 13.
Two women, a Malaysian man and a North Korean man have been arrested to assist in the investigations.
VX (S2 ethyl diisopropylamino methylphosphonothioate) is an extremely toxic substance that has no known uses except in chemical warfare as a nerve agent. according to Wikipedia.
It is a tasteless and odorless liquid with an amber-like color. 10 milligrams is sufficient for it to be fatal through skin contact and for inhalation it is estimated to be 30–50 mg·min/m3.
As a chemical weapon, it is classified as a weapon of mass destruction by the United Nations in UN Resolution 687.
The production and stockpiling of VX exceeding 100 grams per year per signatory was outlawed by the Chemical Weapons Convention of 1993.
The only exception for its use is for research, medical or pharmaceutical purposes.
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