Forensic Chemistry Test Review Notes

Drugs are categorized into five schedules based on their legality and medical use:

• Schedule I: Illegal with no accepted medical use (e.g., Heroin).

• Schedule II: Highly controlled, with accepted medical use but high potential for abuse (e.g., Adderall).

• Schedule III: Allowed with a prescription and moderate potential for abuse.

• Schedule IV: Allowed with a prescription and low potential for abuse.

• Schedule V: No prescription needed (e.g., over-the-counter medications).

Determining Control of a Substance involves assessing accepted medical use, potential for abuse, and dependence potential (physical and psychological).

Controlled Substance Analyst Duties include evidence handling, documentation, and analytical techniques.

Classes of Controlled Substances:

• Narcotics: Pain relief but can cause respiratory depression.

• Stimulants: Increased energy and alertness but risk of heart issues.

• Depressants: Used for sedation but can lead to overdose.

• Hallucinogens: Cause hallucinations with potential for risky behavior.

• Designer Drugs: Synthetic drugs with unpredictable effects.

Common Testing Procedures:

1. Color Tests: Provide preliminary identification.

2. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC): Separates components based on movement on a plate.

3. FTIR: Identifies substances by their absorption of infrared light.

4. Gas Chromatography: Separates mixtures based on gas travel speed.

5. Liquid Chromatography: Analyzes mixtures using a liquid solvent.

6. Breath Tests: Measures alcohol levels.

7. Mass Spectrometry: Analyzes substances by weighing their components.

8. Immunoassay Tests: Quickly detect drugs in biological samples.

Toxicology Overview: Focuses on internal body analysis while controlled substances relate to evidence. Toxic substances include anions, corrosives, volatile poisons, metalloids, metals, and various toxins from biological and plant sources. Common symptoms of poisons include those from cyanide and carbon monoxide.

Routes of Exposure: Include inhalation, ingestion, dermal exposure, injection, and mucosal exposure.
LD50: Indicates the lethal dose for 50% of a population, useful for toxicology assessments.

Pharmacokinetics (ADME): Studies how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted. Factors such as method of administration, body composition, and liver function affect this process.