Forensic Science Basics: Illicit Drugs

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to the morphological characteristics of hair analysis and the classification and analysis of illicit drugs as discussed in forensic science.

Illicit drugs

These are chemical substances that are either illegally manufactured, distributed, or possessed, or are legitimate pharmaceutical drugs that are abused or used for non-medical purposes in violation of legal regulations. Their use can lead to significant health, social, and legal consequences.

Stimulants

A class of psychoactive drugs that temporarily increase alertness, attention, and energy by stimulating the central nervous system. Common examples include cocaine, methamphetamine, and amphetamines, which can lead to euphoria, increased heart rate, and potential addiction.

Depressants

A category of drugs that slow down brain activity, leading to a calming and sedative effect. They are often prescribed to relieve anxiety, insomnia, or seizures, but can be highly addictive and dangerous, especially when combined with alcohol. Examples include barbiturates and benzodiazepines.

Hallucinogens

Psychoactive substances that profoundly alter perception, mood, and cognitive processes, often inducing sensory experiences such as visual or auditory hallucinations. Examples include LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) and psilocybin (from 'magic mushrooms'). Marijuana can have hallucinogenic effects, particularly at high doses, alongside its other psychoactive properties.

Narcotics

A class of potent drugs, primarily opioids, derived from opium or synthesized to mimic its effects. They are known for their pain-relieving (analgesic) and sleep-inducing properties, and have a high potential for abuse and addiction. Common examples include morphine, codeine, heroin, and oxycodone.

Controlled substances

Any substance or drug that is tightly regulated by government authorities due to its potential for abuse or addiction, as well as its medicinal value. In the United States, these are classified into five schedules under the Comprehensive Controlled Substances Act, dictating specific regulations for their manufacture, possession, and distribution.

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

A federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Justice, tasked with combating drug smuggling and distribution within the United States. Its primary mission is to enforce the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States.

Harrison Act

Enacted in 1914, this U.S. federal law regulated and taxed the production, importation, and distribution of opiates and coca products (like cocaine). While initially intended as a revenue-generating measure, it significantly influenced the criminalization of non-medical drug use and paved the way for future comprehensive drug legislation.

Comprehensive Controlled Substances Act

Passed in 1970, this landmark U.S. federal law established a comprehensive regulatory scheme for the manufacture, distribution, and dispensation of controlled substances. It classified drugs into five 'Schedules' (I through V) based on their medical use, potential for abuse, and safety/dependence liability, with Schedule I drugs having the highest potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.

Screening test

A preliminary analytical procedure used to rapidly detect the possible presence of a specific drug or class of drugs in a sample. These tests, often utilizing observable color changes or immunological reactions, are designed for speed and cost-effectiveness and are typically followed by more definitive confirmation tests.

Confirmation test

A highly specific and sensitive analytical procedure performed after a positive screening test. It is used to unequivocally identify and quantify the presence of a specific drug or its metabolites in a sample, providing legally defensible results. Techniques like Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) or Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) are commonly employed.

Extreme psychological dependence

A severe form of drug addiction characterized by an overwhelming, persistent craving for a drug, coupled with compulsive drug-seeking behavior and an intense preoccupation with obtaining and using the substance. This dependence is primarily mental and emotional, driven by the drug's effects on the brain's reward system, leading to distress if the drug is unavailable.

Which class of psychoactive drugs temporarily increases alertness, attention, and energy by stimulating the central nervous system?

Stimulants.

What landmark U.S. federal law classified drugs into five 'Schedules' based on their medical use and potential for abuse?

The Comprehensive Controlled Substances Act (1970).

What type of drug test provides legally defensible results by unequivocally identifying and quantifying a specific drug or its metabolites?

A confirmation test.

Which category of drugs slows down brain activity, often prescribed for anxiety or insomnia, and includes barbiturates and benzodiazepines?

Depressants.

What is the primary mission of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)?

To enforce the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States.

Which class of drugs is known for profoundly altering perception, mood, and cognitive processes, often inducing sensory hallucinations?

Hallucinogens.

What U.S. federal law initially regulated and taxed opiates and coca products and influenced the criminalization of non-medical drug use?

The Harrison Act of 1914.

What are the three main criteria used to classify drugs into 'Schedules' under the Comprehensive Controlled Substances Act?

Medical use, potential for abuse, and safety/dependence liability.

Under what circumstances does a legitimate pharmaceutical drug become classified as 'illicit'?

When it is abused or used for non-medical purposes in violation of legal regulations.

Besides health and social issues, what other significant consequences can illicit drug use lead to?

Legal consequences.

What effect can stimulants like cocaine have on the cardiovascular system?

Increased heart rate.

What psychological state characterized by intense excitement and happiness can stimulants induce?

Euphoria.

What common class of drugs, often used for anxiety relief, can be highly addictive, especially when combined with alcohol?

Depressants (e.g., barbiturates and benzodiazepines).

What are two specific examples of hallucinogenic substances mentioned?

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) and psilocybin (from 'magic mushrooms').

What type of sensory experiences are commonly induced by hallucinogens?

Visual or auditory hallucinations.

What primary class of drugs are considered narcotics?

Opioids.

Narcotics are known for their pain-relieving properties, also known as what?

Analgesic properties.

Name one common narcotic known for its high potential for abuse and addiction.

Morphine, codeine, heroin, or oxycodone.

Besides potential for abuse and addiction, what other factor contributes to a substance being classified as a controlled substance?

Its medicinal value.

How many schedules are controlled substances categorized into in the United States?

Five schedules (I through V).

Which U.S. government department oversees the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)?

The U.S. Department of Justice.

What year was the Harrison Act enacted, marking an early federal regulation of opiates and coca products?

1914.

What was the initial legislative aim of the Harrison Act regarding drug control?

It was initially intended as a revenue-generating measure through taxation.

What key regulatory framework was established by the Comprehensive Controlled Substances Act of 1970?

A comprehensive regulatory scheme for the manufacture, distribution, and dispensation of controlled substances.

Which schedule of drugs under the Comprehensive Controlled Substances Act has the highest potential for abuse and no accepted medical use?

Schedule I drugs.

What types of reactions are often used in screening tests for rapid drug detection?

Observable color changes or immunological reactions.

Why are screening tests considered preliminary and not definitive for drug identification?

They rapidly detect only the possible presence of a drug, and are followed by more definitive confirmation tests.

Name a specific analytical technique commonly employed for confirmation tests to identify drugs.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) or Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS).

What is the primary characteristic of extreme psychological dependence in drug addiction?

An overwhelming, persistent craving for a drug, coupled with compulsive drug-seeking behavior.

Which part of the brain's system is primarily affected by the drug, leading to extreme psychological dependence?

The brain's reward system.

What type of drug dependence involves the body adapting to the presence of a drug, leading to physical withdrawal symptoms upon cessation?

Physical dependence.

Describe drug tolerance.

A state where a person needs more of a drug to achieve the same effect that a smaller dose once produced.

What is a group of symptoms that occur when a person suddenly stops using a drug to which they are physically dependent?

Withdrawal symptoms.