Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Introduction Forensic toxicology helps determine causeand-effect relationships between o Exposure to a drug or other substance and o 1 Toxic or lethal effects from that exposure Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Exposure People can be exposed to toxic substances: o intentionally— by treating illness or relieving pain o accidentally— by harmful combinations or overdoses o deliberately— by harming or killing others, or by suicide 2 Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Poison—>Murder, Accidental Overdoses, and Drug Offences 3 o Poisoning causes less than ½ of 1% of all homicides o Accidental drug overdoses are more common o Drug offenders • More than 50% of the federal prison population • About 20% of the population in state prisons Controlled Substances Hallucinogens Narcotics Stimulants Anabolic steroids Depressants 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 4 Controlled Substances —Hallucinogens o o o 5 Often derived from plants Affects the user’s perceptions, thinking, self-awareness, and emotions Blood 1-3 days, Urine 3-7 +, hair forever Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Controlled SubstancesNarcotics Urine Test 2-3 Days 6 Controlled SubstancesStimulants 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 Blood: 5-6 hours or 2-3 days, Urine: 1-7+ days (based on use) o o o o 7 Controlled Substances- Anabolic Steroids o o o 8 A chemical structure similar to testosterone Promote cell and tissue growth increasing bone mass and body muscle. Popular with weightlifters, bodybuilders, and other athletes Controlled Substances —Depressants o o o o 9 Affects the central nervous system by increasing a neurotransmitter… 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 Controlled Substances —Alcohols 10 o In what way are alcohols toxic? o How is grain alcohol produced? o What are the classic symptoms of a hangover? o What is the effect of alcohol on the central nervous system? o What can chronic alcohol abuse cause? Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Controlled Substances —Bacterial Toxins o Tetanus (also called Lockjaw) • Produced by the Clostridium tetani bacteria • Causes violent muscle spasms o Botulism • Produced by Clostridium botulinum—botulism • Paralyzes muscles • Causes irreversible damage to nerve endings • Extremely deadly in very small amounts • Most poisonous biological substance 11 Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Controlled Substances —Pesticides and Heavy Metals 12 Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Controlled Substances —Pesticides and Heavy Metals 13 Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Controlled Substances —Bioterrorism Agents Ricin o o o 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 o 14 Causes death within a few hours Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Controlled Substances—Bioterrorism Agents Anthrax o o o 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 15 Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9