FRSC1030 Foundations in Forensic Science Chapter 12

Key Terms from Chapter 12

Adulterants

Substances added to products but not listed as an ingredient, which could make the product harmful or cheaper. They are often selected to mimic the effect of the product

Alkaloids

A chemical class of organic compounds derived from plants that have physiological effects on the body, such as nicotine, morphine, cocaine, atropine, heroin and codeine

Analgesics

Drugs that relieve pain

Analogs

Synthetic variants of drugs

Anorexic

Appetite suppressant

Bath salts

Also called synthetic cathinones, a group including stimulants, in which the substances are based on the cathinone compound

Benzodiazepines

A large class of medications prescribed for sleep and anxiety disorders, including Valium, Xanax, and Ambien

Cannabinoids

The collective term to describe psychoactive compounds that come from the Cannabis sativa plant

Cathinone

The active ingredient in khat leaves, and the base compound in bath salts

Chemical similarity

The degree to which chemical compounds share structural characteristics, or similar chemical properties

Clandestine laboratory

Hidden or secret locations that manufacture controlled substances

Club drug

Drugs used at parties and clubs frequented by young people, including predator drugs, ecstasy (MDMA), LSD, psilocin mushrooms, PCP, and methamphetamine

Controlled Substances Act

The key legislation in the United States that places all substances which were in some manner regulated under existing federal law into one of five schedules, based on medical use, potential for abuse, and safety or dependence liability

Counterfeit drugs

Substances manufactured to look like legitimate products but contain something else. 

Cutting agents

Also called thinners or diluents, additives to drugs, active and inactive, that dilute drugs sold on the street. Usually inexpensive, easily obtained, and added purposefully to stretch the supply.

Degree of intoxication

The degree to which someone is intoxicated, starting at a base level of no noticeable effect or impairment, all the way to coma or death. 

Depressants

Substances that produce reduced muscle activity, depressed respiration and heartbeat, and an inclination to sleep

Designer drugs

Also called novel psychoactive substances, compounds that have emerged as an unprecedented threat in seized drug analysis, public health, and toxicology in terms of both intoxication and fatality. They are clandestinely manufactured to produce similar effects to other illegal substances while attempting to avoid legal controls.

Drug paraphernalia

Items associated with drug use, such as syringes or pipes

Drug profiling

Analyzing a drug sample’s composition beyond identifying and quantifying the controlled substance or substances present. 

Human preformance drugs

Also called perfomance-enhancing substances, drugs that can improve or impair someone’s performance, including anabolic steroids and alcohol.

Illicit drug

An illegal drug, or a legal drug obtained or used illegally

Infrared spectroscopy (IR)

A method used to identify a substance by directing a sequence of wavelengths of infrared energy through the sample and observing which wavelengths are absorbed and to what extent. 

Inhalants

Drugs ingested through breath to produce their desired effects, such as paint thinners, nitrous gas, gasoline, cleaners, and nail polish. In general, they have depressant effects like those of alcohol.

Khat

A plant whose leaves can be chewed on to get the stimulant effect of its active ingredient, cathinone

Malen in se

A term that describes behaviours or actions that most humans consider to be immoral

Malem prohibitum

A term that describes behaviours that are defined as wrong by the law

Morphine

A powerful pain reliever derived from the opium plant

Narcotics

Drugs with analgesic effects and a tendency to depress the central nervous system and promote sleep, including morphine, codeine, heroin, hydromorphone, oxydocone and hydromorphone

Novel psychoactive substances

Also called designer drugs, compounds that have emerged as an unprecedented threat in seized drug analysis, public health, and toxicology in terms of both intoxication and fatality. They are clandestinely manufactured to produce similar effects to other illegal substances while attempting to avoid legal controls.

Pharmacological similarity

The degree to which substances affect the body, including their mechanisms of action, indications, and side effects

Precursor

Initial ingredients or compounds used to synthesize other substances

Predator drugs

Also called date-rape drugs, substances that are used to incapacitate a victim for sexual purposes, including ketamine, Rohypnol (flunitrazepam), and gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). The effects can range from disorientation to unconsciousness and short-term memory loss.

Seized drug analysis

Also called solid dose drug analysis, the forensic discipline that analyses drugs, pills, powders and drug paraphernalia as physical evidence

Seized drugs

Drugs that are taken from crime scenes for analysis

Solid dose drug analysis

Also called seized drug analysis, the forensic discipline that analyses drugs, pills, powderes and drug paraphernalia as physical evidence

Stimulants

Substances that provoke intense euphoria and cause elevations in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration, including methamphetamine and other bath salts

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

The primary active agent in cannabis, and is present to the extent of 2% or more by weight

Thinners

Also called cutting agents or diluents, additives to drugs, active and inactive, that dilute drugs sold on the street. Usually inexpensive, easily obtained, and added purposefully to stretch the supply.