Download Fluids

Fluids&
Toxicology
Fluids
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There are 32 body fluids that may be
found at a crime scene
Some of them include amniotic fluid, bile,
cerebrospinal fluid, mucus, perspiration,
phlegm, saliva, semen, tears, urine, vomit
Toxicology
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The study of poisons and the identification
of drugs and other substances a person
may have used for medicinal, recreational,
or criminal purposes
Exposure to Toxins
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Four ways to be exposed to toxins
1. ingesting them into the
gastrointestinal system
2. inhaling them into the lungs
3. injecting them into the bloodstream
4. absorbing them through the skin
Toxicity
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The degree to which a substance is
poisonous or can cause injury
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Depends on:
1. Dosage (how much is taken in)
2. Duration (frequency and length of exposure)
3. Nature of exposure (ingested, inhaled, absorbed,
etc.)
4. Any potential interactions within the body
5. Harmful metabolites formed in the body
Testing for Toxicity
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Performance of chemical tests to analyze
body fluids, stomach contents, skin, and
hair
In the case of lethal exposures, internal
organs (like the liver) and the vitreous
humor fluid of the eye are analyzed
Classification of Toxic
Substances
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Intentionally – as in drugs taken to treat
an illness or relieve pain
Accidentally – ingested or exposed, as in
unintentional overdoses or harmful
combinations
Deliberately – as in suicide or exposures
intended to harm or kill others
Murder by Poison
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Not very common (only one half of one
percent of all homicides are poisonings)
Historical victims of poisoning
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Socrates (399 BC) – hemlock poisoning
Nazi Leaders Heinrich Himmler & Hermann
Goering (1945) – cyanide poisoning
Jonestown cult members (1978) – cyanide
poisoning
Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko (2006) radiation
Acute vs Chronic Poisoning
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Acute poisoning – caused by a high dose
over a short period of time, like cyanide
ingestion or inhalation, which immediately
produces symptoms
Chronic poisoning – caused by lower
doses over long periods of time, like
mercury or lead poisoning, which
produces symptoms gradually
Accidental Drug Overdoses
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Much more common than death from
poisoning
Examples: John Belushi, Chris Farley,
River Phoenix, Janis Joplin, Jim
Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Anna Nicole
Smith, Heath Ledger
Drugs and Crime
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Illegal drugs – drugs with no currently
accepted medical use in the United States
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Controlled substances – legal drugs, whose sale,
possession and use are restricted because of
the effect of the drugs and the potential for
abuse
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Marijuana, heroin, LSD
Ex.; medications such as narcotics, depressants,
stimulants
*** drug offenders make up more than ½ of
the federal prison population and 20% of the
state prison population
Controlled Substances
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Five Classes of Controlled Substances
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Hallucinogens
Narcotics
Stimulants
Anabolic steroids
Depressants
Hallucinogens
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Affect the user’s perceptions, thinking,
self-awareness, and emotions
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1.
2.
3.
4.
LSD – lysergic acid diethylamide
PCP –
mescaline
marijuana
Narcotics
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Act to reduce pain by suppressing the
central nervous system’s ability to relay
pain messages to the brain
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Opium & it’s derivatives heroin & codeine
Hydrocodone (vicodin, lortab)
Methadone
Morphine
Oxycodone (percocet, oxycontin)
Codeine pain relievers (tylenol 3)
Stimulants
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Increase feelings of energy and
alertness while suppressing appetite;
depression results when the effects
wear off
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1. amphetamines
2. methamphetamines (more potent than
amphetamines)
3. cocaine (including crack)
Anabolic Steroids
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Promotes cell and tissue growth and division
Produced in the laboratory and have a similar
chemical structure to testosterone
Side effects include acne, increased body hair,
baldness, “roid rage”, high blood pressure &
cholesterol levels, impaired fertility, kidney
and liver cancer, and heart attacks
Depressants
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Relieve anxiety and produce sleep
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1. barbiturates
2. benzodiazepine
Decreases heart rate which results in
drowsiness and slowed brain activity
An overdose may slow breathing and
cause coma and death…mixing them with
alcohol increases their effects
Other Toxins
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1. Organic Toxins – poisonous substances
produced by living organisms
2. Alcohol
3. Bacterial Toxins
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Botulism, tetanus
4. Heavy Metals and Pesticides
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Pesticides, arsenic, lead, mercury
Hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, potassium
chloride, sodium petothal
Bioterrorism Agents
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Ricin – a component of the waste product
of the manufacture of castor oil from
castor beans
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Can be inhaled, ingested or absorbed in the skin
Anthrax – enters body through
inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption