Forensic Science Flashcards: Units 7–11

forensic toxicology

The analysis of biological samples to detect toxins, drugs, or poisons.

common sample types in toxicology

Blood, urine, hair.

legal BAC limit for driving

0.08% in most regions.

effect of alcohol on the nervous system

It slows reflexes, impairs coordination, and affects judgment.

causes of a hangover

Dehydration, acetaldehyde buildup, and loss of electrolytes.

factors affecting drug toxicity

Dose, duration, method of entry, tolerance, and interactions.

drug that binds to CB-1 receptors

THC from marijuana.

how cocaine affects the brain

It increases dopamine levels rapidly.

anabolic steroids

Muscle growth, but they can cause aggression and organ damage.

blood used for DUI testing

It shows active drug levels at the time of collection.

hair testing

Long-term or high-dose drug exposure history.

vitreous humor

Drug/alcohol detection in decomposed bodies.

toxicology reports

If substances contributed to death or behavior.

bone marrow in toxicology

To detect poisons in decomposed bodies.

advantage of urine testing

Non-invasive and detects drugs for a longer time.

main components of blood

Red cells, white cells, plasma, platelets.

function of red blood cells

Carry oxygen via hemoglobin.

plasma

The yellow fluid carrying nutrients, hormones, and proteins.

platelets

They help the blood to clot.

blood type determination

Genes inherited from your parents.

blood type alleles

A, B, and O.

universal donor blood type

Type O.

universal recipient blood type

Type AB.

Rh+

You have the Rh protein in your blood.

agglutination

Clumping of blood cells due to antigen-antibody reaction.

angle of impact calculation

sin⁻¹(width ÷ length of blood drop).

blood spatter determination

Type of weapon, movement, and crime scene reconstruction.

area of convergence

The point where blood paths intersect.

passive drop

A drop formed from gravity alone.

cast-off pattern

Blood flung from a weapon or object.

manners of death

Natural, accidental, suicidal, homicidal.

fifth classification of death

Undetermined.

cause of death

The disease or injury that leads to death.

mechanism of death

The physiological reason the body stopped functioning.

manner of death

The legal classification of how death occurred.

rigor mortis

Stiffening of muscles after death.

algor mortis

Cooling of the body after death.

livor mortis

The pooling of blood in the lowest parts of the body after death.

rigor mortis factors

Temperature, activity before death, body fat.

autolysis

Self-digestion of cells by their own enzymes.

putrefaction

Decomposition caused by bacteria producing gas.

marbling

Greenish discoloration due to decomposing blood vessels.

adipocere

Waxy fat formed during decomposition in moist environments.

stomach content and PMI

It indicates the time since last meal.

first few minutes after death

Heartbeat and breathing stop, pallor mortis sets in.

forensic entomology

The use of insect evidence in criminal investigations.

first insect to colonize a body

Blowfly.

stages of blowfly development

Egg, 1st instar, 2nd instar, 3rd instar, pupa, adult.

PMI

Postmortem Interval — time between death and discovery.

environmental factors affecting insect development

Temperature, humidity, location.

ADH

Accumulated Degree Hours — used to estimate insect age.

insect evidence reveals

Time of death, possible movement of body, drug/toxin exposure.

collecting insects at a crime scene

From body, surrounding area, and under body.

importance of insect life cycle

To match stage with time since colonization.

freezing insect evidence

To preserve it for lab analysis.

pupa stage

Transitional stage before adult fly emerges.

toxins and insect growth

They can speed up or delay development.

insects arriving after blowflies

Beetles and other scavengers.

importance of temperature records in entomology

To calculate ADH and estimate PMI.

entomotoxicology

Study of toxins found in insects feeding on remains.

forensic anthropologist studies

Skeletal remains to determine identity and cause of death.

information from a skeleton

Sex, age, ancestry, height, trauma.

bone useful for determining sex

Pelvis.

bone best for height estimation

Femur.

common causes of skeletal trauma

Injuries, diseases, occupational stress, environment.

estimating age from bones

Using growth plates and signs of bone fusion.

craniofacial reconstruction

Rebuilding a face based on skull features.

photographic superimposition

Comparing a skull with a photo to identify remains.

forensic radiology

Using X-rays to identify medical history or trauma.

DNA in anthropology

To identify individuals or confirm family relationships.

epiphysis fusion

Joining of bone ends with shafts, used to estimate age.

teeth in identification

Dental records, wear, and eruption patterns.

bone remodeling

The process of bone renewal over time.

environmental factor preserving bones

Dry, cold, or anaerobic conditions.

tool for analyzing bones in 3D

CT scanning and digital imaging.