Forensic Science - Drugs and Toxicology

What is a Schedule I drug?

Completely illegal, no accepted medical use, high potential for abuse and addiction (e.g., heroin).

What is a Schedule II drug?

Highly controlled, accepted medical use under supervision, high abuse potential (e.g., amphetamines like Adderall).

What is a Schedule III drug?

Prescription-only, accepted medical use, moderate abuse potential, less addictive than I/II.

What is a Schedule IV drug?

Prescription-only, accepted use, low potential for abuse

What is a Schedule V drug?

Over-the-counter, low potential for abuse (cough medicene)

What three criteria determine drug scheduling?

Accepted medical use, potential for abuse, and potential for dependence.

What is physical dependence?

Withdrawl symptoms occur when the drug is stopped

What is psychological dependence?

No withdrawl symptoms, but a compulsion to continue use

What are narcotics and their effects?

Pain relief, euphoria, drowsiness (e.g., morphine, heroin); affect opioid receptors.

What are stimulants and their effects?

Increased alertness and heart rate (e.g., cocaine, meth); affect dopamine and norepinephrine.

What are depressents and their effects?

Calming, slowed functions (e.g., alcohol, benzos); affect GABA and glutamate.

What are hallucinogens and their effects?

Alter perception and reality (e.g., LSD, shrooms); affect serotonin and dopamine.

What are designer drugs and their effects?

Synthetic drugs causing high or confusion (e.g., bath salts, fentanyl analogs).

What is an analgesic?

A drug that relieves pain (e.g., narcotics).

What is an antipyretic?

A drug that reduces fever.

What is an anti-inflammatory?

A drug that reduces swelling and pain.

What is a tranquilizer?

A drug that calms and reduces anxiety.

What is a vasoconstrictor?

A drug that narrows blood vessels (common in stimulants).

What is a diuretic?

A drug that increases urine production.

What does a color test do?

Gives presumptive ID of a drug based on color reaction.

What does Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) show?

Identifies substances based on how far they travel; shows purity (presumptive).

What is FTIR used for?

Identifies chemical bonds by IR absorption (confirmatory).

What does Gas Chromatography (GC) do?

Separates and identifies compounds by retention time (presumptive or confirmatory with MS).

What does Liquid Cromatography do?

Separates components in a liquid sample, useful for heat-sensitive substances.

What is Mass Spectrometry?

Measures mass of drug fragments; identifies substance (confirmatory when compared to standard).

What is an immunoassay test?

A fast presumptive test using antibodies to detect drugs in body fluids.

What's the difference between toxicology and controlled substance analysis?

Toxicology tests what's in the body; controlled substances test physical evidence.

What are the job duties of a forensic toxicologist?

Identify substances, confirm presence, measure amounts, maintain chain of custody, testify in court.

What are the branches of forensic toxicology?

Post-mortem, human performance, workplace drug testing.

What does blood testing show?

Current drug levels, used for DUIs and accidents

What does urine testing show?

Past drug use (days to a week), used in workplace/recovery.

What does hair testing show?

Long-term drug use history, used in background checks?

What does saliva testing show?

Recent use, used roadside or in workplaces

What does breath testing show?

Real-time alcohol levels, used in DUI stops

What are some examples of toxic metals?

Lead, mecury, cadium

What is cyanide poisoning?

Causes seizures, red skin, and rapid death due to oxygen balance.

What is carbon monoxide poisoning?

Causes headache, red skin, confusion, due to hemoglobin blockage.

What is ADME in pharmacokinetics?

Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion

What is biotransformation?

The body's process of making toxins easier to excrete.

What factors affect absorption?

Route of entry, solubility, blood flow, stomach contents.

What affects distribution?

Blood flow, protein binding, fat solubility.

What affects metabolism?

Liver functions, genetics, enzyeme activity.

What affects excretion?

Kidney function, urine pH, hydration.

What is LD50?

Dose that kills 50% of a test population; lower = more toxic.

What are the routes of exposure?

Inhalation, ingestion, dermal, injection, mucosal.