Alcohol

Forensic Toxicology

Study of drugs and poisons in legal contexts.

Ethanol

Most common toxic substance in forensic toxicology.

Methanol

Extremely toxic solvent metabolized to formic acid.

Isopropanol

Common industrial solvent, less toxic than methanol.

Ethylene Glycol

Toxic, metabolized to oxalic acid affecting calcium.

Chloral Hydrate

Prodrug converted to trichloroethanol in the body.

Road Traffic Act

UK law regulating alcohol limits for drivers.

Prescribed Driving Limits

Legal alcohol limits in breath, blood, urine.

Absorption

Process of substance entering bloodstream.

Diffusion

Movement from high to low concentration areas.

Peak BAC

Highest blood alcohol concentration after drinking.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

Measure of alcohol in blood, expressed in mg/dL.

ADME

Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion processes.

Carbonated Beverages

Increase absorption rate of alcohol.

Fatty Beverages

Slow down absorption of alcohol.

Mouth Alcohol Effect

False high readings from residual alcohol in mouth.

Henry's Law

Gas concentration in liquid relates to its pressure.

Blood/Breath Ratio

Constant ratio for alcohol concentration in blood and breath.

Calcium Oxalate Crystals

Indicators of ethylene glycol poisoning in kidneys.

Instantaneous Absorption

Assumption that absorption occurs immediately.

GI Tract

Main site for alcohol absorption in the body.

Alcoholic Strength

Concentration of ethanol in a beverage.

Simultaneous Ingestion of Food

Delays alcohol absorption and peak BAC.

Metabolic Acidosis

Condition caused by formic acid from methanol.

Rubbing Alcohol

Common name for isopropanol solution.

Oesophagus

Tube connecting throat to stomach, involved in absorption.

Portal Vein

Carries absorbed substances from intestines to liver.

Breath Alcohol Measurement

Technique to estimate BAC using exhaled air.

Alcohol Elimination

Process of alcohol being metabolized and removed.

BAC

Blood Alcohol Concentration, measured in mg dL-1.

Elimination

Process of removing alcohol from the body.

ADH

Alcohol dehydrogenase, enzyme facilitating alcohol metabolism.

CYP2E1

Cytochrome P450 enzyme involved in alcohol metabolism.

Michaelis-Menten kinetics

Model describing enzyme kinetics in alcohol elimination.

Widmark factor

Volume of distribution, 0.68 men, 0.55 women.

Elimination rate

Average rate: 15 mg (men), 18 mg (women) per hour.

Tolerance

Adaptation to alcohol effects, varies by individual.

Acute tolerance

Differential effects of alcohol during absorption phases.

Specimen collection

Process of obtaining biological samples for analysis.

GC-FID

Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection.

Headspace analysis

Technique for measuring volatile compounds in samples.

Post-mortem analysis

Examination of biological samples after death.

Vitreous humor

Fluid in the eye, useful for toxicology analysis.

Specimen stability

Preservation of samples to prevent degradation.

Sodium fluoride

Used to inhibit microbial activity in samples.

Potassium oxalate

Acts as an anticoagulant in blood samples.

EDTA

Preservative and anticoagulant for biological samples.

Gastric diffusion

Movement of alcohol from stomach to bloodstream.

Intoxication stages

Progressive effects of alcohol at different BAC levels.

CNS effects

Alcohol depresses central nervous system functions.

GI tract effects

High alcohol concentrations damage mucosal membranes.

Diuretic effect

Increased urine production due to alcohol consumption.

Liver damage

Long-term alcohol use leads to irreversible liver changes.

Cirrhosis

Severe liver scarring from chronic alcohol abuse.

Specimen replicates

Must agree within 3 standard deviations or 6%.

Legal limits

Defined BAC thresholds for prosecution in alcohol cases.

Evidential Breath Test

Test for measuring alcohol in breath samples.

Ethnic variations

Different average alcohol elimination rates by ethnicity.