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Chapter 9 Drug Identification
and Toxicology
Introduction
l  identify the five types of controlled substances
l  relate signs and symptoms of overdose with a
Forensic toxicology helps determine (a) the cause-andeffect relationships between exposure to a drug or other
substance and (b) the toxic or lethal effects from that
exposure.
l  describe the role of various types of toxins in
People can be exposed to toxic substances:
l  intentionally—by treating illness or relieving pain
l  accidentally—by harmful combinations or overdoses
l  deliberately—by harming or killing others or by
committing suicide
By the end of this chapter you will be able to:
specific class of drugs or toxins
causing death
l  discuss agents that may be used in bioterrorism
l  define and describe the goals and practice of
toxicology
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Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
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Poison—Murder, Accidental Overdoses,
and Drug Offenses
Controlled Substances—
Hallucinogens
l  Less than ½ of 1% of all homicides results
l  The effect and intensity of response to these
drugs varies from person to person.
from poisoning.
l  Often derived from plants, hallucinogens
l  Accidental drug overdoses are more
affect the user’s perceptions, thinking, selfawareness, and emotions.
l  Affects of an overdose include an increased
heart rate, often increased blood pressure,
and sometimes panic attacks, anxiety, or
psychosis.
common.
l  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—Narcotics
Controlled Substances—Stimulants
Narcotics reduce pain and can be very habit forming.
l  Stimulants increase feelings of energy
and alertness while suppressing appetite.
l  As the drug wears off, however,
depression often results.
l  Affects of an overdose can include high
blood pressure, agitation, confusion, or
seizures.
l  Stimulants tend to be highly addictive.
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Controlled Substances—Anabolic
Steroids
Controlled Substances—Anabolic
Steroids
l  These drugs are produced in a laboratory and
l  What are some of the negative side effects
have a chemical structure similar to
testosterone.
l  Anabolic steroids promote cell and tissue
growth increasing bone mass and body muscle.
l  Because of this they are popular with
weightlifters, bodybuilders, and other athletes.
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that are possible?
ü Mild
•  Acne, increased body hair, baldness
ü Severe
•  High blood pressure, high cholesterol, impaired
male fertility, blood clotting, kidney and liver
cancers, heart attack
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Controlled Substances—Depressants
Controlled Substances—Alcohols
l  Depressants act on the central nervous system
l  In what way are alcohols toxic?
and increase the activity of a neurotransmitter
called GABA.
l  Increased GABA production results in
drowsiness and slowed brain activity.
l  These drugs, consequently, relieve anxiety and
produce sleep.
l  Mixing depressants with alcohol and other
drugs increases their effects and health risks,
possibly leading to coma and death.
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Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
–  Methanol is converted to formaldehyde in the liver,
formaldehyde is very toxic
–  Ethanol (usu in alcoholic bevarages) is called grain
alcohol is converted by the body to acetalhyde,
damages human tissues.
l  How is grain alcohol produced?
–  Fermentation of sugar in fruits, grains and
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vegetables
Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9
Controlled Substances—Alcohols
Controlled Substances—Bacterial
Toxins
l  What are the classic symptoms of a
Tetanus
hangover?
l  Lockjaw, as it is sometimes called, is produced by
the Clostridium tetani bacteria.
–  Headache, nausea, weekness
l  Its poison can cause violent muscle spasms.
l  What is the effect of alcohol on the central
nervous system?
–  Depresses it
l  What can chronic abuse of alcohol cause?
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–  Liver damage & disturbed, dangerous behavior
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Controlled Substances—Bacterial
Toxins
Controlled Substances—Pesticides
and Heavy Metals
Botulism
Pesticides mostly are used to protect plants or food crops.
Metal compounds are very poisonous.
l  Produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum,
botulism paralyzes muscles.
l  It causes irreversible damage to nerve endings.
l  Very small amounts are extremely deadly.
l  Botulism is the most poisonous biological substance.
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Controlled Substances—Pesticides
and Heavy Metals
Controlled Substances—Bioterrorism
Agents
Metal compounds can damage many organs in the body.
Ricin
l  is a poisonous protein in the castor bean.
l  is lethal in extremely small amounts.
l  can enter the body in various ways:
–  inhaled as a mist or a powder.
–  ingested as food or drink.
–  injected into the body.
l  can cause death within a few hours.
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Controlled Substances—
Bioterrorism Agents
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary
Anthrax
l  Forensic toxicology seeks to identify poisons or
forms spores.
l  can be spread to humans from infected animals.
l  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.
l  Toxicology is important in studying cases of drug
drugs in criminals and victims.
l  is caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis, which
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overdose and sporting violations.
l  Controlled substances fall into five main groups.
l  Poisons can be produced by living organisms.
l  Pesticides and heavy metals are common poisons.
l  Bioterrorism agents include ricin and anthrax.
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