Flashcards: Forensic Toxicology Lecture Review

30 Q&A flashcards covering CDSA schedules, drugs of abuse, testing methods, legal principles, and the Mother Risk scandal, based on the lecture notes.

What are the four main CDSA schedules discussed, plus the extra schedules mentioned in the lecture?

Schedules I–IV, plus a schedule for precursor chemicals and a schedule for devices used to make tablets and capsules.

Which drugs are listed in Schedule I of the CDSA?

Opioids and derivatives of fentanyl, cocaine, amphetamines (amphetamine and methamphetamine), and ketamine.

Can cocaine be manufactured in a laboratory?

No. Cocaine cannot be made in the laboratory; it is derived from the coca leaf and has both base (crack) and hydrochloride (powder) forms.

What are the two common forms of cocaine mentioned in the notes?

Cocaine base (crack) and cocaine hydrochloride (powder).

What is PubChem used for in this lecture?

An online database to explore drug chemistry, including structure, properties, safety, and 3D models of drugs like cocaine.

What is Schedule II primarily associated with in the lecture?

Synthetic cannabinoids and other substances; possession and sale are prohibited; includes many THC-analog structures; often a long list by structure.

Why are drug schedules based on structure and production rather than solely on the drug type?

Because scheduling depends on how the drug is produced in the lab, its precursor chemicals, and how it affects human performance, not just its effects.

What is meant by designer drugs in the context of synthetic cannabinoids?

Novel cannabinoids designed to mimic THC, often not yet scheduled; marketed as ‘spice,’ and can be very dangerous.

Name some drugs listed in Schedule III.

Methylphenidate (Ritalin), LSD, DMT, psilocybin, mescaline, PCP, and kathinone (cat).

What substances are included in Schedule IV?

Benzodiazepines and barbiturates, anabolic steroids, Z-drugs like zolpidem (Ambien), and Salvia Divinorum; obtaining is prohibited.

What is physical dependence and how does it differ from psychological dependence?

Physical dependence involves withdrawal when stopping; psychological dependence involves cravings or compulsion; nicotine is a key example of strong physical dependence.

Why can alcohol withdrawal be dangerous?

Sudden withdrawal after long-term use can cause shocks, dementia-like symptoms, shakes, and even death without medical supervision.

What is tolerance in drug use?

A need for larger doses to achieve the same effect due to adaptive changes in the body.

What does the Brown v. Canada case and extreme intoxication refer to in the lecture?

The Supreme Court (2022) held that extreme intoxication could, in some cases, defeat mens rea, though Parliament later enacted section 33.1 limiting this defense for certain crimes.

What does Section 33.1 of the Criminal Code do?

Creates a crime of criminal negligence when a person consumes intoxicants and then commits a crime; limits the use of extreme intoxication as a defense in some offenses.

What does NCR stand for and how is it related to drug-induced conditions?

Not Criminally Responsible; may apply to substance-induced psychosis if a mental disorder is involved.

Which drugs are commonly involved in drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA)?

GHB and Rohypnol; these drugs depress the CNS and can cause memory loss; detection in blood/urine can be difficult; hair testing can help later.

Why is hair testing useful in cases of DFSA?

Drugs like GHB and Rohypinol are short-lived in blood/urine; hair can retain biomarkers for months, aiding evidence and victim credibility.

What is naloxone and how does it work?

An opioid receptor antagonist that binds to receptors and reverses overdose by displacing opioids from receptors.

What is pharmacodynamics?

The study of how drugs affect the body and behavior (e.g., impairment at different blood alcohol levels).

What is pharmacokinetics?

The study of how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated over time.

What is GC-MS and why is it important in forensic toxicology?

Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry; the gold-standard confirmatory test that separates and identifies substances via a library match.

What is Raman spectroscopy used for in field drug testing?

A portable presumptive technique that identifies substances by comparing spectra to a library, useful for rapid field identification.

What happened in the Mother Risk Laboratory scandal?

A Toronto hospital hair toxicology lab used for child-protection cases produced unreliable, fraudulent results (dry-lapping, no reports), prompting an inquiry.

What is 'dry-lapping' in a laboratory context?

Fabricating results or reporting findings without performing the actual tests.

What is forensic hair toxicology?

Testing hair to detect drug use over months; hair grows from the root and incorporates drugs/metabolites; requires washing and proper segmentation.

What is a key fact about hair growth rate used in interpretation?

Hair typically grows about 0.6 cm per month, and segments help estimate when exposure occurred.

Name a cocaine metabolite commonly tested for in drug analyses.

Benzoylecgonine; a metabolite detected in urine after cocaine use.

What is the role of anabolic steroids in the CDSA scheduling discussed?

They appear in Schedule IV; used medically but also abused for performance enhancement in some contexts.

Why is the Mother Risk case important for forensic science in the justice system?

It shows how poor laboratory practices can irreparably harm families and emphasizes the need for rigorous standards and proper reporting across systems.