What do you see. What do you think about what you see What do you see? What do you think about what you see? How do you feel about what you see? N. Gutierrez

Toxicology Chapter 6 Bellwork: Read the Case Study on “Dr. Death” on page 200 in your textbook N. Gutierrez

Have you ever taken a poison? A poison is any substance that causes a harmful or deadly reaction when taken in sufficient quantities Arsenic Mercury Digitalis An intoxicant such as alcohol or carbon monoxide requires large amounts to be lethal A poison such as cyanide requires a very small amount N. Gutierrez

N. Gutierrez

Toxicology is the study of chemistry and physiology that deals with drugs, poisons, or other toxic substances. In 1775 the Swedish chemist, Scheele discovered how to prove arsenic was involved in suspicious deaths. Forensic Toxicology has become an important aspect of investigations ever since. N. Gutierrez

N. Gutierrez

The Role of A Toxicologist Assess the state of the accident victim Determine whether someone died from poison or natural causes Assess whether drugs played a role in a perpetrator’s actions or in someone’s seizures or coma N. Gutierrez

Looking for Toxins Even when the ME can’t find a toxin, they may find the effects by studying the metabolism Often visible effects of toxins are not easy to find N. Gutierrez

N. Gutierrez

Biotransformation Biotransformation is the conversion of one chemical in the body to another through metabolism Heroin is made from morphine and when injected into the bloodstream immediately turns back into morphine Finding morphine is a good sign that heroin was present N. Gutierrez

Collecting Samples Best places to find toxins are where chemicals enter or exit the body & where they concentrate in the body Blood, stomach contents, brain tissues, and hair or urine are places to check Blood samples show what is going on at the time of death. After notes you will examine how BAC is used to determine intoxication levels N. Gutierrez

Urine samples are easily collected The routes through the kidneys are where the body eliminates drugs and toxins so levels in urine may be found in greater concentrations These do not tell when the drug was exerting any effect on the individual N. Gutierrez

Contents are examined if poison or drug ingestion is suspected Stomach contents may be examined in survivors by a gastric tube passed through the nose into the stomach Contents are examined if poison or drug ingestion is suspected N. Gutierrez

Vitreous humor is the liquid in the eyeball It is a waterlike fluid that resists decay Water-soluble chemicals can be found in the same level as in the blood & reflect the concentration of toxins in the blood N. Gutierrez

Hair absorbs heavy metals like arsenic, lead, etc. As hair grows, you can determine the timeline of toxins present in the body Insects feed on corpses and may carry traces of toxins from the decaying flesh N. Gutierrez

N. Gutierrez

Determining the Cause of Death Think back to how the ME determines death: The Medical Examiner must determine if the death was: 1. Natural 2. Accidental 3. Suicidal 4. Homicidal 5. Unknown N. Gutierrez

Manner of Death Natural– determine did the toxins cause a heart attack or was it “natural”? Accidental – dose miscalculations, mixing prescriptions, adding alcohol, or curious children could be accidentally poisoned N. Gutierrez

The ME must find who has access to the victim’s food, drink, etc. Suicidal– This is the most common manner of death involving toxins and the most common toxin is carbon monoxide. Homicidal – uncommon today since guns are used. If it is homicidal poisoning, usually the killer knows the victim’s habits The ME must find who has access to the victim’s food, drink, etc. N. Gutierrez

Testing for toxins Color-tests use chemicals where a reagent or chemical solution is added and a color change results Chromatography identifies compounds in the toxins according to their absorption N. Gutierrez

Gas Chromatography separates compounds by size and chemical properties UV Spectroscopy identifies which compounds absorb or reflect light N. Gutierrez

N. Gutierrez

N. Gutierrez

What level is the Toxin? Normal – the level expected in the normal population Therapeutic – the level your doctor wants you to reach for medical treatment Toxic – level that may cause harm, nausea, vomiting, or change in the heart’s rhythm Lethal – level at which the drug causes death N. Gutierrez

1. What do you see. 2. What do you think about it. 3 1. What do you see? 2. What do you think about it? 3. How do you feel about it? N. Gutierrez

What do you know about DUI laws? 1. What is a “field-sobriety test”? 2. How accurate is the breathalyzer test? 3. Do blood samples show higher or lower levels of alcohol than the breathalyzer? 4. Are you required to take the breathalyzer and field sobriety tests? 5. What is the legal limit of BAC to drive? N. Gutierrez

HGN test http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fQ2Zaiay2U Walk and Turn test http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BG48Bt2_u8&feature=related Example of a test http://blutube.policeone.com/Media/388-Reno-911-Field-Sobriety-Test/ N. Gutierrez

In Arizona??!! Last year, there were 39,991 DUI arrests in Arizona; the highest number of arrests or 11.9% of total arrests. Last year recorded 6,757 alcohol-related vehicle crashes in the state and 324 people killed. N. Gutierrez

Drinking drivers were involved in 59 Drinking drivers were involved in 59.26% of all fatalities in the State of Arizona. In Maricopa County alone there were 4,240 alcohol-related crashes, killing 132 and injuring 2,888 people. N. Gutierrez

Legal Limits .04 = DWI if driving a commercial vehicle .08 = DWI .15 = extreme DWI .20 = super extreme These are misdemeanors with fines and possible impoundment of the car Aggravated DWI when the person has 2 or more DWI’s in the past 84 months Aggravated DWI if any passengers in the car are 15 yrs old or younger These are a felony with jail time N. Gutierrez

Understanding Alcohol Alcohol appears in the blood stream within minutes after being ingested. It is absorbed from the stomach and small intestines into the bloodstream. Alcohol is excreted through urine, breath, and perspiration. BAC is the blood alcohol content as measured by A breathalyzer test Blood test N. Gutierrez

Intoxilyzer/Breathalyzer In 1954 Indiana State Police Captain R. F. Borkenstein invented the Breathalyzer Breath is analyzed using a spectrophotometer and by examining the chemical composition N. Gutierrez

N. Gutierrez

HGN Test Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus is a test done while watching eye movement. Signs of jerking indicate impairment Other field sobriety tests include: Walk and turn Standing on one leg Finger to nose Rhomberg Balance test Counting Backwards N. Gutierrez

How to Stay Safe! Driving after drinking even a small amount of alcohol can put you at risk of getting a DUI. Please use these tips to help keep our community safe:   Don't ride with someone who's been drinking. Stop an intoxicated person from driving. Offer to be a non-drinking driver for friends. Report suspected drunk drivers to the police. Call a non-drinking friend for a ride home. N. Gutierrez