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What is toxicology?
• Toxicology is the study of the adverse effects of
chemicals on living organisms. It is the study of
symptoms, mechanisms, treatments, and detection
of poisoning, especially the poisoning of people.
What aspect of toxicology is especially
useful in forensic science?
• Forensic toxicology encompasses the
measurement of alcohol, drugs and other
toxic substances.
Why is it difficult to determine what type of
drug is found in the victim at the time of death?
• A forensic toxicologist must consider the context of
an investigation, in particular any physical
symptoms recorded, and any evidence collected at
a crime scene that may narrow the search.
How is the color testing used to narrow
down the type of drug present?
• The traditional field testing methods run the
gambit of color to crystalline tests, and consist
of a variety of names, the controversial Nalline
test being the most well-known, which
presumably indicates recent use of narcotics.
When are organs, tissues, or body
fluids analyzed?
• During the autopsy is when organs, tissues,
and other body fluids are analyzed.
What is the most accurate device used to
analyze organs, tissues, and body fluids?
• Capillary electrophoresis, the modern
approach to instrumental electrophoresis, is
probably the most rapidly expanding
analytical technique that has appeared in
recent years