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Chapter 9
Drug Identification and Toxicology
By the end of this chapter you will be able to:
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Identify the five types of controlled substances
Relate signs and symptoms of overdose with a
specific class of drugs or toxins
Describe the role of various types of toxins in
causing death
Discuss agents that may be used in bioterrorism
Define and describe the goals and practice of
toxicology
All Rights Reserved South-Western / Cengage Learning © 2012, 2009
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Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
Toxicology
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Study of poisons and identification of drugs
used for medicinal, recreational or criminal
purposes.
Exposure to toxins can occur via:
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Ingestion
Inhalation
Injection
Absorption
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
Toxicity
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Depends on Dose (how much)
Duration (frequency and length of exposure)
Nature of exposure
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Ingested, inhaled or absorbed
Interactions with other substances
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
Forensic Toxicology
Helps determine cause-and-effect relationships
between
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Exposure to a drug or other substance
and
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Toxic or lethal effects from that exposure
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
Introduction
People can be exposed to toxic substances:
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intentionally—
by treating illness or relieving pain
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accidentally—
by harmful combinations or overdoses
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deliberately—
by harming or killing others, or by suicide
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Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
Poison—Murder, Accidental
Overdoses, and Drug Offences
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Poisoning causes less than ½ of 1% of all
homicides
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Accidental drug overdoses are more common
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Drug offenders
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More than 50% of the federal prison population
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About 20% of the population in state prisons
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
Controlled Substances
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Hallucinogens
Narcotics
Stimulants
Anabolic steroids
Depressants
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
Controlled Substances
—Hallucinogens
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Often derived from plants
The effect and intensity of response to these
drugs varies from person to person.
Affects the user’s perceptions, thinking, selfawareness, and emotions
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
Controlled Substances
—Hallucinogens
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Affects of an overdose often include
• Increased heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Panic attacks, anxiety, or psychosis
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Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
Controlled Substances
—Hallucinogens
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Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
Controlled Substances
—Narcotics (pain killers, highly
addictive)
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Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
Controlled Substances
—Stimulants
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Increases feelings of energy and
alertness
Suppresses appetite
Afterwards, depression often results
Overdose affects include high blood
pressure, agitation, confusion, seizures
Stimulants tend to be highly addictive
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
Controlled Substances
—Stimulants
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Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
Controlled Substances
—Anabolic Steroids
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A chemical structure similar to testosterone
Promote cell and tissue growth increasing bone
mass and body muscle.
Popular with weightlifters, bodybuilders, and
other athletes
Side effects include: acne, baldness, high
blood pressure, high cholesterol, impaired
fertility, blood clotting, liver and kidney
disease/cancer, heart attacks
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
Controlled Substances
—Depressants
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Affects the central nervous system by increasing
GABA activity, a neurotransmitter
Increased GABA causes drowsiness and slowed
brain activity
Relieves anxiety and produces sleep
Side effects include slurred speech and loss of
coordination
Mixing depressants with alcohol and other drugs
increases potency and health risks
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
Controlled Substances
—Alcohols
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Alcohol is toxic
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Causes dehydration
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Affects brain function, sometimes permanently
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Liver damage
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Depresses central nervous system
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Possible to die from alcohol poisoning
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
Controlled Substances
—Bacterial Toxins
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Tetanus (also called Lockjaw)
• Produced by the Clostridium tetani bacteria
• Causes violent muscle spasms
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Botulism
• Produced by Clostridium botulinum—botulism
• Paralyzes muscles
• Causes irreversible damage to nerve endings
• Extremely deadly in very small amounts
• Most poisonous biological substance
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Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
Controlled Substances
—Pesticides, Heavy Metals, and gases
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Pesticides are toxic, proper protective gear
should be worn
Heavy metals (arsenic, lead, mercury)
accumulate in tissues and can damage organs
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Ingestion, inhalation, absorption
Mercury: thermometers, batteries
Lead: paint and pipes in older homes, some imported
ceramics and canned goods
Arsenic: pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, tobacco,
contaminated water
Carbon monoxide – car exhaust, faulty furnaces,
is deadly
Controlled Substances
—Pesticides and Heavy Metals
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Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
Controlled Substances
—Pesticides and Heavy Metals
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Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
Controlled Substances
—Bioterrorism Agents
Ricin
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A poisonous protein in the castor bean
Lethal in extremely small amounts
Enters the body in various ways:
• inhaled as a mist or a powder
• ingested as food or drink
• injected into the body
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Causes death within a few hours
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
Controlled Substances—Bioterrorism
Agents
Anthrax
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Bacillus anthracis, which forms endospores
Spreads to humans from infected animals
Enters the human body through:
• Inhalation; causing breathing problems that usually
result in death
• Ingestion; becoming fatal in 25% to 60% of cases
• Absorption via the skin; leading to death in about
20% of untreated cases
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Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
. . . . . . . . . Summary. . . . . . . .
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Forensic toxicology seeks to identify poisons
or drugs in criminals and victims.
Toxicology is important in studying cases of
drug overdose and sporting violations.
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary. . . .
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Controlled substances fall into five main
groups:
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Hallucinogens
Narcotic
Stimulants
Steroids
Depressants
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary
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Poisons can be produced by living
organisms.
Pesticides and heavy metals are common
poisons.
Bioterrorism agents include ricin and anthrax.
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9