Criminalistics Chapter 12, 13

drugs

a natural or synthetic substance that is used to produce physiological or psychological effects

psychological dependence

Conditioned use of a drug caused by underlying emotional needs.
stems from the individual’s desire to create a sense of well-being and to escape from reality.

physical dependence

Need for a drug that has been brought about by its regular use; dependence is characterized by withdrawal sickness when administration of the drug is abruptly stopped.

social aspect of drug use

The social impact of drug dependence is directly related to the extent to which the user has become preoccupied with the drug

narcotic

An analgesic or painkilling sub- stance that depresses vital body functions

analgesic

A drug or substance that lessens or eliminates pain by depressing the CNS

opium

source for many analgesic narcotics such as morphine, heroin, and codeine

synthetic opiates

oxycontin, methadone(used for heroin addiction treatment)

hallucinogens

cause marked alterations in mood, attitude, thought processes, and perceptions
includes: marijuana, PCP, ecstasy, LSD

LSD

synthesized from lysergic acid, a substance derived from ergot, which is a type of fungus that attacks certain grasses and grains

depressants

drugs that slow down, or depress, the central nervous system (alcohol, barbiturates, antipsychotics and anti-anxiety drugs, huffing)

barbiturates

relax, create a feeling of well-being, and produce sleep.

huffing

sniffing materials containing volatile solvents that contain volatile or gaseous substances that are primarily central nervous system depressants.

stimulants

drugs that stimulate, or speed up, the central nervous system.

Amphetamines

synthetic drugs that stimulate the central ner- vous system

cocaine

a powerful stimulant to the central nervous system, and its effects resemble those caused by the amphetamines

crack

potent form of cocaine, reaches the brain faster

club drugs

synthetic drugs that are used at nightclubs, bars, and raves (ecstasy, GHB, roofies, ketamine, meth)

anabolic steroids

Steroids that promote muscle growth, related to testosterone

schedule 1 drugs

deemed to have a high potential for abuse, have no currently accepted medical use in the United States

schedule 2 drug

have a high potential for abuse, a currently accepted medical use or a medical use with severe restrictions, and a potential for severe psychological or physical dependence

schedule 3 drugs

have less potential for abuse, a currently accepted medical use in the United States, and a potential for low or moderate physical dependence or high psychological dependence.

schedule 4 drugs

have a low potential for abuse and have a current medical use in the United States; their abuse may lead to limited dependence

schedule 5 drugs

show low abuse potential, have medical use in the United States, and have less potential for producing dependence

The Controlled Substances Act

stipulates that an offense involving a controlled substance analog shall trigger penalties as if it were a controlled substance listed in schedule I

screening test

A test that is nonspecific and preliminary in nature for testing drugs. is done reduce these possibilities to a small and manageable number

confirmation test

A single test that specifically identifies a substance.

qualitative drug determination

relates just to the identity of the material

quantitative drug determination

refers to the percentage combination of the components of a mixture

microcrystalline tests

Tests to identify specific substances by the color and morphology of the crystals formed when the substance is mixed with specific reagents.

chromatography

analytical techniques for separating organic or carbon containing mixtures into their com- ponents by attraction to a station- ary phase while being propelled by a moving phase.

floresce

To emit visible light when exposed to light of a shorter wavelength— that is, ultraviolet light.

spectrophotometry

An analytical method for identifying a substance by its selective absorption of different wavelengths of light.

ultraviolet

invisible high frequencies of light beyond violet in the visible spectrum.

monochromator

A device for isolating individual wavelengths or frequencies of light.

monochromatic light

Light having a single wavelength or frequency.

infrared

invisible short frequencies of light before red in the visible spectrum.

ion

An atom or molecule bearing a positive or negative charge.

toxicologist

detect and identify drugs and poisons in body fluids, tissues, and organs

metabolism

The transformation of a chemical in the body to another chemical to facilitate its elimination from the body.
Involves: absorption, distribution, and elimination.

alcohol

appears in the blood within minutes after it has been consumed and slowly increases in concentration while it is being absorbed

absorption of alcohol

alcohol slowly enters the body’s bloodstream and is carried to all parts of the body. once complete becomes distributed uniformly throughout the watery portions of the body

what effects absorption of alcohol

total time taken to consume the drink, the alcohol content of the beverage, the amount consumed, and the quantity and type of food present in the stomach at the time of drinking

elimination of alcohol

as it circulates through the body, elimination begins. involves oxidation and excretion

oxidation of alcohol

the presence of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, the alcohol is converted into acetaldehyde and then to acetic acid. The acetic acid is subsequently oxidized in practically all parts of the body, becoming carbon dioxide and water.
takes place in liver

excretion of alcohol

the remaining alcohol is excreted, unchanged, in the breath, urine, and perspiration.
the amount of alcohol exhaled in the breath is in direct proportion to the concentration of alcohol in the blood

breath testing for alcohol

measures the alcohol concentration in the pulmonary artery by measuring its concentration in alveolar breath

anticoagulant

A substance that prevents coagula- tion or clotting of blood.

preservative

A substance that stops the growth of microorganisms in blood.

federal law for alcohol

In 2000, U.S. federal law established 0.08 percent as the per se blood-alcohol level, meaning that any individual meeting or exceeding this blood-alcohol level shall be deemed intoxicated.

5th amendment

guarantees all citizens protection against self- incrimination—that is, against being forced to make an admission that would prove one’s own guilt in a legal matter

implied consent law for alcohol test while driving

operating a motor vehicle on a public highway automatically carries with it the stipulation that the driver must either submit to a test for alcohol intoxication if requested or lose his or her license for some designated period

Schmerber v. California

addressed the constitutionality of collecting a blood specimen for alcohol testing, as well as for obtaining other types of physi- cal evidence from a suspect without consent.

Schmerber v. California ruling

The Court ruled against the defendant, reasoning that the Fifth Amendment only prohibits compelling a suspect to give “testimonial” evidence that may be self-incriminating; being compelled to furnish “physical” evidence, such as fin- gerprints, photographs, measurements, and blood samples, the Court ruled, was not protected by the Fifth Amendment.

Missouri v. McNeely

revisited Schmerber case
Court addressed the issue as to whether the natural elimination of alcohol in blood categorically justifies a warrantless intrusion

Missouri v. McNeely ruling

The Court noted that advances in communication technology now allow police to obtain warrant quickly by phone, e-mail, or teleconferencing.

base

A compound capable of accepting a hydrogen ion (H+).

acid

A compound capable of donating a hydrogen ion (H+) to another compound.

heavy metals (non drug poison)

These include arsenic, bismuth, antimony, mercury, and
thallium