Forensics Unit 4 Vocab

Drug

natural or synthetic substance designed to affect humans (or other animals) psychologically or physiologically

Poison

drugs taken in excessive amounts and causes illness or death, it will show toxic effects

Illicit Drugs

substance is taken strictly for pleasure

Controlled Drugs

Drugs covered/restricted by law

Hallucinogen

natural occurring substances that can change normal thought processes, perceptions, and moods

Cannabis sativa

A tall, annual hemp plant native to Asia from which marijuana is harvested

Teratogen

An agent that can cause birth defects in an embryo or fetus

Stimulant

act on the central nervous system to make the user feel better and increase energy and alertness while suppressing appetite and fatigue

Alkaloid

a class of bitter-tasting, basic organic compounds with nitrogen- containing rings obtained from plants (coca plants, etc.)

Narcotic

substances affecting the central nervous system to relieve pain

Analgesic

drugs to relieve pain

Opiate

a natural substance or drug derived directly from the opium poppy plant

Designer drug

synthesized with particular characteristics for abuse and evasion of drug laws

Depressant

drugs that lower neurotransmission levels or reduce stimulation in areas of the brain

Barbiturates

highly addictive and generally prescribed to reduce anxiety and help people to sleep

Spot test

chemical reaction that occurs when a particular substance is added to an unknown

Presumptive test

presume the presence of a questioned substance due to a color change or reaction

False positive

test result that comes back positive when the material/drug being tested for is not present

Spectrophotometry

measurement of the absorption of electromagnetic radiation of different wavelengths by a substance

Plasma

fluid part of blood

Metabolism

sum of all chemical processes occurring in a organism

Confirmatory test

tests that specifically identifies one substance

Analyte

substance being analyzed

DUI

driving under the influence

DWI

driving while intoxicated

OUI

operating under the influence

OWI

operating while intoxicating

MIP

minor in possession

BAC

amount of ethyl alcohol in the blood (Blood Alcohol Content)

Toxin

substances that cause injury to the health of a living thing on contact or absorption, by interacting with enzymes and receptors

Chronic exposure

large amounts ingested over time

Acute toxicity

shows health problems occurring almost immediately (hours or days) after an exposure (Death)

Synergism

combined effect of substances that exceeds the sum of their individual effects (Alcohol and Advil)

Antagonism

combined effect of substances that decrease their individual effects (Antibiotics and Birth Control)

Chelating agent

organic compound that reacts with a metal to form a ring structure negating the effects (antidote)

LD50

The lethal dose for 50% of a given population within 4 hours