Toxicology and BAC
Toxicology and Forensic Science
Toxicology: ____________________________________________-
Poison = Drug
Organism = __________________________
Can impair, injure, or kill.
Forensic Toxicology
Postmortem: ______________________________________
Antemortem: ______________________________________
Reasons for Toxicology Testing:
Poisoning investigations
Overdose from medicinal drugs
Legal issues with recreational drugs.
Drug Absorption
Bloodstream vs Topical:
Bloodstream: ______________________________________
Topical: ______________________________________
Gastrointestinal Tract (GI):
____________: Ingestion begins.
Stomach: ___________________________________________
Small Intestine: Main site of absorption (20 feet long, 1-2 hours).
Large Intestine: ______________________________________
Bioavailability
Defined as ______________________________________
Factors affecting bioavailability:
Drug dissolution rate.
______________________________________
Liver metabolism health.
Method of administration (_____________________________).
Drug Absorption Methods
Skin Patches: Provide steady delivery.
Snorted Drugs: ______________________________________
Smoking: ______________________________________
Drug Distribution
Absorption Curve: Represents absorption, distribution, and elimination of drugs over time.
Drug Metabolism
______________________________________
Inactive or Active forms.
______________________________________
Elimination routes: __________________________________.
Alcohol
Ethyl Alcohol/Ethanol: ______________________________________
Social, aesthetic, addictive/abuse, and poisonous properties.
Produced via fermentation (beer: 5%, wine: 13%, spirits: ~40%).
Pharmacological Effects of Alcohol
Acts as a CNS depressant. Effects include:
I______________________________________
Risks of coma and death (breathing cessation) based on dosage and sensitivity.
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)
______________________________________
Relationship established with tolerance and chronic use.
Alcohol Bioavailability and Distribution
Distribution influenced by body water proportional to body size.
______________________________________
Alcohol Excretion
Occurs via the liver, primarily through ethanol's conversion by Alcohol Dehydrogenase.
Elimination Rate: Approximately 0.015% per hour.
______________________________________
Calculating BAC
Water Weight Proportion: ______________________________________
Widmark’s Formula:
BAC = (# standard drinks x .06 [% ethanol] x 100% x 1.055 [specific gravity] / weight [lbs] x gender constant [55 female / 68 male]) – (.015 [elimination constant] x hours).