Chapter 13 - Forensic Toxicology

Forensic Toxicologist

A specialist who detects and identifies drugs and poisons in body fluids, tissues, and organs.

Absorption

The passage of alcohol across the wall of the stomach and small intestine into the bloodstream.

Alcohol Metabolism

The transformation of alcohol into other chemicals to facilitate its elimination from the body.

Oxidation

The combination of oxygen with substances to produce new products; occurs in the liver for alcohol.

Excretion

The process of eliminating substances from the body; alcohol is excreted unchanged in breath and urine.

Gas Chromatography

A technique used to separate and quantify alcohol levels in blood.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

The percentage of alcohol in a person's bloodstream, indicating the level of intoxication.

Field Sobriety Tests

Standardized tests used by law enforcement to assess a driver's physical and mental impairment due to alcohol.

Implied Consent Law

A law stating that drivers must agree to submit to alcohol testing upon being stopped; non-compliance may result in license suspension.

Breathalyzer

A device used to measure blood alcohol concentration from a breath sample.

Acetaldehyde

A toxic byproduct formed during the metabolism of alcohol, which is further converted to acetic acid.

Carbon Dioxide

A waste product of alcohol metabolism; exhaled during respiration.

Alveoli

Small air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs, including the exchange of alcohol from blood to breath.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase

An enzyme in the liver that plays a key role in the oxidation of alcohol to acetaldehyde.

Nystagmus

An involuntary jerking of the eyes, often used to assess impairment due to alcohol consumption.

Fuel Cell Detector

A detector in breath testing equipment that uses chemical reactions to measure alcohol concentration.

Toxicology of Alcohol

The study of how alcohol interacts with the body and its effects on human behavior.

Anticoagulant

A substance added to blood samples to prevent clotting.

Preservative

A substance added to blood samples to inhibit the growth of microorganisms.

pH Scale

A scale used to measure the acidity or basicity of a solution; influences drug extraction in toxicology.

Henry's Law

A principle that states the relationship between the concentration of a gas in a liquid and its pressure above the liquid.

Breath Test Instruments

Devices that measure alcohol concentration in breath samples.

Alcohol Impairment

A state in which a person's cognitive and motor functions are negatively impacted by alcohol consumption.

Immunoassay

A screening test that uses antibody reactions to detect specific drugs in biological samples.

Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC)

A technique used for the rapid screening of drugs in a specimen.

Alveolar Breath

Deep-lung breath that provides a sample for measuring breath alcohol concentration.

Nonalcoholic Disinfectant

A disinfectant used before drawing blood to avoid contamination from alcohol.

Alcohol Consumption

The ingestion of alcoholic beverages, which leads to absorption and effects on the human body.

Variability in Alcohol Absorption

Factors affecting the rate at which alcohol enters the bloodstream, such as food intake and drink type.

Blood Collection Protocols

Standard practices for drawing blood to ensure accurate results for toxicology analysis.

Recirculation in Circulatory System

The process of blood being oxygenated in the lungs and returned to the heart for distribution.

Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Program

A structured training program for law enforcement to identify drug impairment.

Postmortem Blood Samples

Blood collected from deceased individuals for the purpose of toxicological analysis.

Mouth Alcohol

Alcohol present in the mouth due to recent consumption which can falsely elevate breath test results.

Toxicity Assessment

The evaluation of a substance's harmful effects on an individual.

Excited Delirium

A state of extreme agitation often associated with drug intoxication.

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

A category of drugs that can influence motor function and balance.

Chronic Alcohol Use

Prolonged consumption of alcohol leading to physical dependence and various health issues.

Sedative Drugs

Medications that calm the patient and may enhance the effects of alcohol.

Accidental Overdose

Unintentional ingestion of drugs leading to toxic effects, as seen in well-publicized cases.

Public Health Implications

The societal consequences of drug and alcohol abuse and their impact on health systems.

Detection of Drugs in Hair

An analysis method that assesses drug use over a longer timeline based on hair growth.

Toxicological Evidence

Physical proof obtained from body fluids and tissues indicating drug presence.

Synthetic Drugs

Chemically manufactured drugs often designed to mimic the effects of illegal substances.

Chronic Illness and Drug Interaction

The potential risks involved when patients with chronic conditions use multiple medications.

Heavy Metals

Toxic elements that can accumulate in the body and cause serious health issues.

Carboxyhemoglobin

A compound formed when carbon monoxide binds with hemoglobin, impairing oxygen transport.

Dosage Forms of Drugs

Different forms in which drugs can be administered, including tablets, capsules, or inhalants.

Constitutionality of Blood Testing

Legal considerations surrounding the collection of blood samples for alcohol testing.

Nitrosamines

A type of chemical compound, some of which are carcinogenic, found in certain foods and products.

Urine Drug Testing

A common method used to detect the presence of drugs in the body.

Absorption Duration

The time it takes for alcohol to be fully absorbed into the bloodstream.

Clinical Toxicologist

A medical professional specializing in treating overdose and drug toxicity cases.

Automobile Traffic Fatalities

Deaths related to car accidents, often linked to alcohol use.

Interfering Substances

Chemical compounds that can affect the accuracy of drug tests.

Volatile Compounds

Substances that can evaporate and may influence breath tests for alcohol.

Fatal Alcohol Syndrome

A pattern of physical and mental disabilities in children caused by prenatal alcohol exposure.

Drug Screening Standards

Established protocols for detecting drugs during tests for law enforcement or employment.

Toxicological Investigation

An examination of potential poisons or drugs present in biological samples.

Blood Sample Preservation

Methods used to ensure the stability of blood samples for accurate testing.

Causal Relationship in Drug Effects

The direct connection between drug intake and observed impairments in a person's behavior.

Public Awareness of Substance Abuse

Recognizing the societal need for education on the dangers of drug use.

Metabolic Pathways

The processes through which drugs are metabolized in the body.

Psychophysical Tests

Assessments used to evaluate a subject's cognitive and physical abilities, especially under intoxication.

Left Atrium

The upper left chamber of the heart that receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins.

Biological Fluids

Samples such as blood, urine, or saliva used in toxicological analyses.

Narcotics

A classification of drugs that include prescription pain relievers and illicit drugs.

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

The process of measuring specific drugs in a patient's system to optimize their therapeutic effects.

Behavioral Indicators of Intoxication

Observable actions that suggest an individual is impaired due to alcohol or drug use.

Evidential Breath Testing

Breath tests used to gather legally admissible data regarding a person's alcohol consumption.

Underage Drinking Laws

Regulations restricting alcohol consumption by individuals below a certain legal age.

Serological Testing

The examination of serum to detect the presence of drugs or other substances.

Intravenous Drug Use

The administration of drugs directly into the bloodstream, often with higher risks of overdose.

Drug Use Trends

Patterns and changes in drug use observed in various populations over time.

Ethanol

The type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter that plays a role in pleasure and reward, often affected by substance use.

Postmortem Toxicology

The study of drugs in deceased individuals to determine the cause of death.

Contaminants in Drug Testing

Foreign substances that may affect the results and interpretation of drug tests.

Legal Regulations on Drugs

Laws governing the prescription, distribution, and use of substances.

Public Safety Measures

Strategies implemented to mitigate risks associated with substance abuse.