Forensic Toxicology Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for forensic toxicology review.

Analytical Chemistry

The process of structural identification and/or quantitation of matter

Analyte

The molecule or ion that is being tested in the sample

Qualitative Analysis

Determine the presence (Positive or Negative) of an analyte; Identify the molecule(s).

Quantitative Analysis

Determine the amount of an analyte.

Screening

Determining the presence or absence of one or multiple analytes in a forensic sample

Confirmation

Use of an orthogonal method to confirm screening results.

Homogeneous

Composition of the sample is the same at every location

Heterogeneous

Composition of the sample changes at different locations

Sample

Any material being interrogated for the presence of an analyte

Heart/Cardiac Blood Sampling

Higher concentrations of drugs than peripheral; shows drugs circulating at time of death

Peripheral/Femoral/Subclavian Blood Sampling

Good indication of drug concentration at time of death; useful for determination of impairment

Aliquot

Small portion of a sample

Slurry

Mixture of a sample

Centrifuge

Pulls solid materials down to get cleaner sample on the top

Supernatant

Top of the sample after you centrifuge it

Pellet

Bottom sample after you centrifuge it

Decant

Pour supernatant off the pellet