Transcript File - Mrs Hawks Forensics

Drug Identification and
Toxicology
Chapter 9
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Forensic toxicology- scientist that
aid medical or legal investigation of
death, poisoning, and drug use.
(a) determines the symptoms of
exposure to a specific toxin and how to
identify them.
(b) determines the toxic or lethal dose
of the substance.
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People can be exposed to toxic
substances:
 intentionally—by treating
illness or relieving pain
 accidentally—by harmful
combinations or overdoses
 deliberately—by harming or
killing others or by committing
suicide
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Poison- some facts
•
Less than ½ of 1% of all homicides
results from poisoning.
•
Accidental drug overdoses are more
common.
•
More than 50% of the federal prison
population and about 20% of the
population in state prisons consist of
drug offenders.
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CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
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Hallucinogens
• derived from plants
• affect the user’s
▫ perceptions
LSD
▫ thinking
▫ self-awareness
▫ emotions
ECSTACY
• Affects of an overdose
▫ an increased heart rate,
▫ often increased blood pressure,
▫ sometimes panic attacks, anxiety, or
psychosis.
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Narcotics
Narcotics reduce pain and can be very habit forming.
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Stimulants
Stimulants increase feelings of
energy and alertness while
suppressing appetite.
• As the drug wears off, however,
depression often results.
• Affects of an overdose
•
▫
▫
▫
▫
•
high blood pressure
Agitation
confusion,
seizures.
tend to be highly addictive.
COCAIN
CRACK
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Anabolic Steroids
These drugs are produced in a laboratory
and have a chemical structure similar to
testosterone.
• Anabolic steroids promote cell and tissue
growth increasing bone mass and body
muscle.
• popular with weightlifters, bodybuilders, and
other athletes.
• What are some of the negative side effects
that are possible?
•
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Depressants
Depressants
▫ act on the central nervous system
▫ increase the activity of a
neurotransmitter called GABA.
• Increased GABA production results in
drowsiness and slowed brain activity.
• relieve anxiety and produce sleep
• Mixing depressants with alcohol and other
drugs increases their effects and health
risks, possibly leading to coma and death.
•
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Alcohols
• In what way are alcohols toxic?
▫ Methanol is not directly toxic but when it is
converted into formaldehyde (in the liver) it is.
• How is grain alcohol produced?
▫ Fermentation of sugar in fruits, grains, and
vegetables.
• What are the classic symptoms of a hangover?
▫ Headache, nausea, weakness
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Forensic Science:
Fundamentals &
Investigations, Chapter 9
Alcohol
• What is the effect of
alcohol on the central
nervous system?
▫ Depression
• What can chronic abuse
of alcohol cause?
▫ Liver damage and
dangerous behavior.
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Alcohol
Forensic Science:
Fundamentals &
Investigations, Chapter 9
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Bacterial Toxins
Tetanus
• Lockjaw, as it is sometimes called, is
produced by the Clostridium tetani
bacteria.
• Its poison can cause violent muscle
spasms.
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Forensic Science:
Fundamentals &
Investigations, Chapter 9
Bacterial Toxins
Botulism
• Produced by the bacteria Clostridium
botulinum, botulism paralyzes muscles.
• It causes irreversible damage to nerve
endings.
• Very small amounts are extremely deadly.
• Botulism is the most poisonous biological
substance.
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Pesticides and Heavy Metals
Pesticides mostly are used to protect plants or food
crops. Metal compounds are very poisonous.
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Pesticides and Heavy Metals
Metal compounds can damage many organs in the body.
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Bioterrorism Agents
Ricin
• is a poisonous protein in the castor bean.
• is lethal in extremely small amounts.
• can enter the body in various ways:
▫ inhaled as a mist or a powder.
▫ ingested as food or drink.
▫ injected into the body.
• can cause death within a few hours.
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Bioterrorism Agents
Anthrax
• is caused by the bacteria Bacillus
anthracis, which forms spores.
• can be spread to humans from infected
animals.
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Anthrax……
• can enter 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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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary
1) What is the job of a forensic toxicologist?
Forensic toxicologist seeks to identify poisons
or drugs in criminals and victims.
2) What are the 5 main groups of controlled
substances?
Hallucinogens, narcotics, stimulants,
depressants and anabolic steroids
3) Are all poisons manmade?
Poisons can be produced by living organisms.
Some are manmade some occur naturally