Forensic unit 4

Drug

natural or synthetic substance designed to affect humans (or other animals) psychologically or physiologically

Poison

any substance that can injure, make very sick, or kill a living organism through a chemical action

Illicit drugs

When my substance is taken strictly for pleasure, they are “drugs of abuse”

Controlled drugs

material whose possession is controlled by law) are split into 5 main categories according to the Controlled Substances Act

Hallucinogen

mostly natural occurring substances that can change normal thought processes, perceptions, and moods

Cannabis Sativa

A tall, annual hemp plant native to Asia from which marijuana is harvested

Teratogen

An agent that can cause birth defects in an embryo or fetus

Stimulant

act on the central nervous system to make the user feel better and increase energy and alertness while suppressing appetite and fatigue

Alkaloid

a class of bitter-tasting, basic organic compounds with nitrogen- containing rings obtained from plants

Narcotic

substances affecting the central nervous system to relieve pain

Analgesic

Drugs to relieve pain

Opiate

These are often prescribed for pain, but easily abused

Designer Drug

synthesized with particular characteristics for abuse and evasion of drug laws

Depressant

drugs that lower neurotransmission levels or reduce stimulation in areas of the brain

Barbiturates

are highly addictive and generally prescribed to reduce anxiety and help people to sleep

Spot test

chemical reaction that occurs when a particular substance is added to an unknown

Presumptive test

presume the presence of a questioned substance due to a color change or reaction

False Positive

test result that comes back positive when the material/drug being tested for is not present

Spectrophotometry

the measurement of the absorption of electromagnetic radiation of different wavelengths by a substance

Plasma

is the fluid part of blood

Metabolism

the sum of all chemical processes occurring in a organism

Confirmatory test

specifically identifies one substance

Analyte

is separated into components according to IR absorption and mass

DUI

driving under the influence

DWI

driving while intoxicated

OUI

operating under the influence

OWI

operating while intoxicating

MIP

minor in possession

BAC

The law is concerned with the amount of ethyl alcohol in the blood

Toxin

substances that cause injury to the health of a living thing on contact or absorption, by interacting with enzymes and receptors

Chronic exposure

Larger amounts ingested over time

Acute toxicity

shows health problems occurring almost immediately (hours or days) after an exposure (Death)

Synergism

is the combined effect of substances that exceeds the sum of their individual effects (Alcohol and Advil)

Antagonism

combined effect of substances that decrease their individual effects (Antibiotics and Birth Control)

Chelating agent

is an organic compound that reacts with a metal to form a ring structure negating the effects (antidote)

LD₅₀

measured in milligrams of substance per kilogram of body weight