Toxicology
the study of drugs, poisons, toxins, and other substances that harm a person when used for medical, recreational, or criminal purposes
Toxicologists
can determine the effect of a drug, establish a cause or effect of the exposure, develop treatments and techniques for detection
Toxicity of a drug depends on
does (amount), duration (longer vs shorter), nature of exposure (inhalation is different than injection), interaction with other drugs (alcohol and cocaine es no bueno), and by-products (some drugs ingested can be turned harmful by the body).
Provide example of drugs that are
inhaled: marijuana, nicotine(cigarettes)
ingested: alcohol, pills
injection: heroin, morphine
absorption: LSD, nicotine(patches)
Presumptive vs Confirmatory testing
Presumptive: usually less expensive and is done first, just says yes there is a possibility for the drug or not, performed by the first-responders more often than not
Confirmatory: more expensive and extensive, able to identify a certain drug, performed b
Qualitative vs Quantitative Testing
Qualitative: what is it? is it illegal?
Quantitative: how much is there?
Color presumptive testing
the presence or absence of a drug can be determined the changing of a color on a strip or liquid
Microscopic examination of plant matter presumptive testing
I think its stated in the name...
Collection
keeps things dry and place in paper bags (plastic would cut off air flow and cause biological material to react chemically)
syringes with needles should be placed in a glass container labeled biohazard
some evidence is volatile so handle with extreme caut
Drug-sniffing dogs
can detect the scent of drugs without having to search every person that walks through an airport
illegal drug
a drug that causes addiction, habituation, or a marked change in consciousness, as limited or no medical use, and is listed in Schedule I of the U.S. Controlled substance act
Ex: Heroin, Ecstasy, GHB, Marijuana, LSD
controlled drug
something whose manufacture, distribution, possession, and use are regulated by the legal system
Controlled drugs are actually legal drugs when
they are used properly (with a prescription)
drugs are considered controlled based on their
effect, potential for abuse, and degree to which they can cause dependency
dependency vs adddiction
addiction: craving for a drug, has withdrawal symptoms if not taken
dependency: craving for a drug, does not have withdrawal symptoms
Why are these considered controlled drugs
amphetamines: high risk of production, bad physical effects on the body
depressants: addictive, slow down bodily functions
anabolic steroids: extreme abuse symptoms (aggression, high blood pressure, blood clotting, cancer, and heart attacks)
some narcotic
Alcohol
considered a depressant;
affects people in different ways depending on their size, amount, food eaten
proof = 2x alcohol percentage
alcohol is exhaled after it has been ingested
liver has to work to rid the body of alcohol, causing toxic metabolites to be
Crime and Drug abuse
Drug abuse can cause many deaths which leads to a life of crime, dependency on drugs causes one to think irrationally, a criminal lifestyle often includes drugs
The 5 Schedules
based on their accepted medical use and the potential for dependency
Schedule I contains the most dangerous drugs, Schedule V the least
Toxin vs Poison
Poison is a natural or manufactured substance that can cause severe illness or death if exposed to, while a toxin are any poisons that are naturally made
Heavy Metals
Arsenic: found in ground water (naturally contaminates drinking water
Lead: found in old paints, bullets, and weights (kids can eat those paint chips)
Mercury: found in fish and coal power plant pollutant; Mad Hatter's Disease (plants would dump their pol
Acute vs Chronic Poisoning
Acute: a lot in a little amount of time (food poisoning)
Chronic: spread out over a long period of time (getting sick from pollution in the air over the course of years)
Herbicides and Pesticides
Poison from these are stored in the fatty tissue and can build up over time. Symptoms increase as exposure is prolonged.
Ricin
various forms such as powder or mist which can be inhaled, ingested, or injected into the body. Takes about 6 hours to take affect and only 500 micrograms of the substance is needed to kill
Lethal Gases
Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen Cyanide,
Carbon Monoxide
Accidental and deliberate deaths occur due to CO ability to interfere with the body absorbing oxygen. Painless way to die because one would pass out and then just, you know, die.