Introduction to Forensic Toxicology and Sample Analysis

Toxicology

Study of adverse effects of agents on organisms.

Forensic Toxicology

Analyzes drugs in biological samples for legal purposes.

Human Performance

Effects of substances on human capabilities and behavior.

Postmortem Toxicology

Analysis of substances after death for cause determination.

DFC

Drug Facilitated Crimes involving substances used to incapacitate.

Forensic Drug Testing

Testing biological samples for drug presence in legal cases.

Dose vs. Poison

Paracelsus' principle: dosage determines toxicity or remedy.

M.J.B. Orfila

Father of Forensic Toxicology, published first treatise.

Stas-Otto Method

Technique for extracting alkaloids from biological materials.

Erik Widmark

Developed the Widmark Formula for alcohol concentration.

Rolla Harger

Invented the Drunk-o-meter for measuring intoxication levels.

Robert Borkenstein

Created the Breathalyzer for alcohol detection.

CNS Depressants

Drugs causing relaxation and impaired coordination.

CNS Stimulants

Drugs mimicking 'fight or flight' response effects.

Hallucinogens

Substances causing distorted sensory perceptions or hallucinations.

Pupil Size

Indicator of drug influence on the nervous system.

HGN

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, eye movement indicator of intoxication.

Therapeutic Dose

Amount of drug providing desired medical effect.

Toxic Dose

Amount of drug causing harmful effects.

Lethal Dose

Dose of substance that can cause death.

Additive Effects

Increased effects when substances are combined.

DRE - Drug Recognition Expert

Specialist in identifying drug influence in individuals.

Sign and Symptom Based

Categorization based on observable effects of drugs.

Alexander Gettler Award

Prize for contributions to forensic toxicology.

Dilated Pupils

Enlarged pupils indicating potential drug influence.

Elevated Vital Signs

Increased heart rate and blood pressure from substances.

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus

Involuntary eye movement not caused by certain drugs.

Synesthesia

Mixing of senses, e.g., hearing colors.

Inhalants

Substances including solvents, aerosols, anesthetic gases.

Chemical Odors

Indicators of inhalant use on the user.

Impaired Gait

Unsteady walking, similar to alcohol intoxication.

Bloodshot Eyes

Red eyes commonly associated with drug use.

PCP (Phencyclidine)

Dissociative anesthetic with hallucinogenic effects.

Vertical Gaze Nystagmus

Involuntary eye movement indicating PCP influence.

Constricted Pupils

Narrowed pupils typical of narcotic analgesics.

Sedation

State of calmness and reduced activity from drugs.

Tachycardia

Accelerated heart rate, often from cannabis use.

Coroner System

Investigates suspicious deaths, often non-physician.

Medical Examiner System

Physician-led investigation of unusual deaths.

Autopsy

Postmortem examination to determine cause of death.

Forensic Toxicology

Study of drugs' effects in death investigations.

Manner of Death

Classification: Homicide, Accident, Suicide, Natural.

Blood Specimen

Represents drug concentrations at time of death.

Urine Specimen

Indicates exposure but not current blood levels.

Vitreous Specimen

Isolated from blood, useful for ethanol confirmation.

Pharmacology

Study of drug effects and mechanisms.

Pharmacokinetics

Study of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion.

Pharmacodynamics

Study of drug effects on biological systems.

Electrolytes

Minerals in blood essential for bodily functions.

Glucose

Simple sugar used for energy in cells.

Chronic Exposure

Long-term contact with drugs or metals.

Repetitive Exposure

Repeated contact with substances over time.

Hair Analysis

Method to assess drug exposure over time.

Segmentation

Dividing samples to determine exposure timeframe.

Liver Screening

Testing organ for substance quantification.

Tissue Analysis

Examining organs for toxic substance presence.

Lung Specimen

Used for suspected inhalation poisoning analysis.

Spleen Analysis

Conducted for carbon monoxide (CO) detection.

Postmortem Redistribution

Movement of substances after death affecting results.

Peripheral Blood

Preferred for toxicological analysis, less affected.

Cardiac Blood

Used for screening but influenced by redistribution.

Venous Femoral Blood

Collected postmortem for toxicological evaluation.

Fluoride Salt Preservation

Used to stabilize blood samples for testing.

Plasma

Liquid portion of blood, contains proteins and electrolytes.

Serum

Liquid after clotting, lacks cells and clotting factors.

Whole Blood

Contains all blood components: cells and plasma.

Water Content Analysis

Study of liquid proportions in blood samples.

Mean Distribution Ratio

Average serum to blood ratio: 1.16:1.

BAC

Blood Alcohol Concentration, average 130 mg/dL.

Collection Procedure

Steps for obtaining blood, plasma, or serum.

Vitreous Humor

Transparent fluid located behind the eye lens.

Vitreous Fluid

Jelly-like substance, stable and isolated.

Postmortem Interval Determination

Estimation of time since death using vitreous fluid.

Ethanol Determinations

Testing for alcohol levels in vitreous fluid.

Electrolyte Determinations

Measurement of electrolyte levels in vitreous fluid.

Glucose Determinations

Assessment of glucose concentration in vitreous fluid.

Microbial Activity Resistance

Vitreous fluid less prone to microbial contamination.

Urine Specimens

Contain higher drug concentrations than blood.

Screening Samples

Urine used for initial drug screening.

Quantitative Analysis Limitation

Urine not reliable for correlating impairment.

Absorption and Distribution

Processes of drug uptake and spread in body.

Metabolism and Excretion

Body's breakdown and elimination of substances.

LLOQ

Lowest limit of quantification in analysis.

LOD

Limit of detection for substances in samples.

Tissue

Biological material used for drug concentration analysis.

Liver

Primary site for drug metabolism and concentration.

Spleen

Secondary specimen for carbon monoxide and cyanide.

Kidney

Useful for determining heavy metal concentrations.

Muscle

Sample type when remains are minimal.

Bile

Waste fluid representing liver drug concentrations.

Gastric Contents

Analyzed in overdose cases for pill fragments.

Hair

Used for chronic drug exposure analysis.

Sample Collection

First step ensuring proper labeling and handling.

Specimen Storage

Conditions affecting sample integrity over time.

Fluoride Preservation

Inhibits glucose conversion to ethanol in samples.

Injection Sites

Locations for administering drugs in subjects.

Distribution Assessment

Evaluating how drugs spread in biological systems.

CO Determination

Measuring carbon monoxide levels in specimens.

Ethanol

Alcohol analyzed for forensic toxicology.

Drug Screening

Testing for the presence of drugs in samples.