TOXICOLOGY UNIT Paul Wallace, Criminalistic Supervisor Toxicology Unit Criminalistic Division Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation

Overview of Laboratory Operations Samples collected in cases of DUI/DUID, other felonies or suspicious circumstances. All samples are analyzed for alcohol content and preliminarily screened for drugs. If burden of proof for DUI is not met with alcohol content and the preliminary drug screen is positive then a drug confirmation is performed (with the exception of cannabinoids). A single report will be issued reflecting alcohol, preliminary drug screen and, if necessary, drug conformation. confirmation results.

Types of Analysis Headspace analysis Ethanol and volatiles Immunoassays Classes of drugs Solvent extractions Alkaline drugs Solid phase extractions Acid/Neutral drugs

Types of Analysis cont. THC Conformation /Quant THC and Metabolites Drug Quants Alkaline or Acidic Drugs Alcohol Content Mixed drinks/ Beer/Alcohol Production Other Volatile Compounds Paint /Glue/Air Duster

Alcohol Analysis Equipment: Headspace gas chromatograph Procedure: Each sample is analyzed in duplicate. The results must agree within 0.009 g/100mL. The lower result is reported.

HEADSPACE ANALYSIS BLOOD ALCOHOL URINE ALCOHOL ALCOHOLIC CONTENT (BEER, WINE, MIXED DRINKS) ALCOHOL PRODUCTION (STILLS FOR BEER AND WHISKEY)

Common Alcohols Methanol Ethanol Isopropanol Carbon-containing compounds with an oxygen-hydrogen (-OH) bond, including: Methanol Ethanol Isopropanol (wood alcohol) (alcoholic beverages) (rubbing alcohol) CH3-CH2OH structure of ethanol

Alcohols Onset of Effects: Depends on absorption status (15 to 90 minutes) Duration of Effects: 0.015 gm/100mL on average cleared per hour Detectable in Blood: 2-14 hours Detectable in Urine: variable (may be >24 hours) Urine NOT indicative of impairment unless timed.

Alcohol Content Mixed Drinks Alcohol Production Under age drinking Tax evasion ABLE Commission Samples

Widmark formula Fluid oz. of alcohol bev. x % of alcohol BAC = _________________________ Weight x 19.3 x (r) r = distribution ratio of alcohol in body vs blood r = 0.68 for males r = 0.55 for females

120 lbs male drinks 6 12 oz. beers 6 x 12 oz. x 4% BAC = ________________ 120 x 19.3 x 0.68 = 0.18

120 lbs female drinks 6 12 oz. beers 6 x 12 oz. x 4% BAC = ________________ 120 x 19.3 x 0.55 = 0.22

How many (#) drinks (male) BAC x weight x19.3 x 0.68 # drinks = _____________________ 4 % alcohol of drink

How many (#) drinks (male) BAC x weight x19.3 x 0.68 # = _____________________ 4 % alcohol of drink B 0.18 x 120 x 19.3 x 0.68 B # = _____________________ 4 % = 70.8 oz/12 = 5.9 drinks

Retrorgrade Extrapolation Clearance rate 0.015 g/100ml / hr BAC at time of collection 0.06 g/100ml Accident occurred 5 hours before collection. 5hr x 0.015 = 0.075 0.06 + 0.075 = 0.13 g/100ml

Drug Analysis Samples are analyzed by two different techniques: Screening Test (ELISA) Detects classes of drugs Distinguishes negative from presumptive positive samples Confirmatory Tests (GC/FID and GC/MS) Sensitive: detects very small amounts of drug in a sample Specific: distinguishes individual drugs State of the art, standard for forensic laboratories

Eight ELISA Drug Screen Panels PCP Phencyclidine Opiates Hydrocodone Codeine Oxycodone Benzoylecgonine Cocaine/Benzoylecgonine Phenethylamines Methamphetamine/MDMA Cannabinoids THC THCA Benzodiazepines Alprazolam Diazepam Temazepine Barbituates Phenobarbital, Secobarbital Butalbatal Carisoprodol

A Few of the Drugs Detected in an Alkaline Screen Methamphetamine Cocaine Carisoprodol Diazepam Alprazolam PCP Codeine Hydrocodone Fluoxetine Zolpidem Trazodone Methadone Oxycodone Citalopram MDMA Tramadol Diphehydramine Caffiene

Types of Drugs Detected in an Acid/Neutral Screen Butalbital Secobarbital Pentobarbital Carisoprodol Meprobamate

Inhalants Paint and Industrial Solvents Toluene Methyl Ethyl Ketone Dichloromethane Chloroform Aerosol Propellants: Keyboard cleaner / Air duster Trichloroethane, Difluoroethane Fuels Anesthetic Agents Gasoline Nitrous Oxide Propane Ether Many Others!

Inhalants Actions: Thought to produce psychoactive effects by blocking oxygen to the brain (hypoxia) or interfering with neuronal transmission Symptoms: Confusion, slurred speech, dizziness, drowsiness, disorientation, ataxia, slowed pupil response to light, possibly HGN Overdose: coma, death from respiratory depression Other Signs: odor of solvents, paint or aerosol cans, paint around mouth and nasal areas.

Reports and Results Preliminary Presumptive Drug Screen (NOT CONFIRMED) ELISA Screen Groups, Classes, Families of Drugs. Specific Drug Confirmation Analysis (CONFIRMED) Ethyl Alcohol, Alkaline Drug Screen, Acid/Neutral Drug Screen. Quantitations Concentrations of compounds

Defending attacks on Blood Results Title 47 S. 759 paragraph (B.) Analysis of blood (C.) Approved Labs Title 47 S. 752 paragraph (D.) Administration of tests. Presence or concentration Title 47 S. 756 paragraph (A.) Admission of evidence shown by tests. Title 47 S. 757 Other competent evidence

Defending attacks on Blood Results Lab Accreditation Kit expiration date Collection site cleaning/preparation (alcohol) Contamination (bacteria) Proper Mixing of blood/tube components Infection generating EtoH

Defending attacks on Blood Results Chain of custody Lab methods Quant results SFST Independent analysis

Quantitations and THC Conformation Performed on major accidents only. Requested by DA on cases going to trial. SFST / observations are very useful to case.

Quantification and Issues Alcohol is quantified: legal limit defined (0.08 g/100mL) Other drugs are not quantified unless at the request of a District Attorney. However, quantification alone may be of limited value due to a possible large therapeutic range and the lack of a legal defined limit. Remember: Quantifications are very time consuming, so be certain that a case cannot proceed before requesting a quantification. Remember: Quantification is a two-edged sword. Results are open to interpretation by defense experts.

Examples of Drug Quantitations and Interpretations of Drug Effects and Drug Concentrations

DIAZEPAM Sedative /Anti-anxiety (CNS Depressant). Treatment for Anxiety, Muscle Spasm. Possible Effects: Drowsiness, Dizziness, Confusion, Slowed Reaction Time. Half-life 29 hours Adult Therapeutic Dose 20-2000 ng/ml. 10 mg to 150ng/ml at 1 hr to 40ng/ml at 24 hrs

ZOLPIDEM Sedative-Hypnotic (CNS Depressant). Short Term Treatment of Insomnia. Possible Effects Drowsiness, Dizziness, Fatigue, Confusion. Half-life 3 hours Adult Therapeutic Dose 29-272 mcg/ml. 10 mg to 120 mcg/ml at 1.6 hrs 15 mcg/ml at 9 hrs.

METHAMPHETAMINE Sympathomimetic Amine (CNS Stimulant) Treatment: Narcolepsy, ADD, Appetite Suppressant. Possible Effects: Restlessness, Insomnia, Hyperactivity, Dizziness, Euphoria. Half-life 10 hours Adult Therapeutic Dose 10-200 ng/ml. 12mg to 20ng/ml at 2 hrs to 10ng/ml at 24hrs.

DELTA-9-THC Antiemetic/Appetite Stim. (CNS Depressant) Treatment: Nausea, Glaucoma Possible Effects: Confusion, Somnolence, Relaxation, Psychomotor/Cognitive Effects. Half-life 1-2 hrs Adult Dose 50-100 ng/ml 50-100 ng/ml during smoking to below LOD within 4-6 hrs. 1-1.5 ng/ml has been linked to potential psychomotor impairment.

Cannabinoids Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-9-THC) Parent compound, main psychoactive component. Detectable in blood from 2 to 4 hours. 11-nor Delta-9-THC Metabolite of Delta-9-THC Non psychoactive compound, detectable in blood for several days. Medical Uses: Control of nausea for chemotherapy patients (Marinol®)

Cannabinoids cont. Actions: Impairs sustained attention, learning and memory, alters space and time perception, sedation, euphoria Symptoms: Bloodshot eyes, memory loss, relaxed inhibitions, limited ability to perform divided attention tasks Other Signs: characteristic odor, no PBT reading

Mean THC, 11-OH-THC & THCCOOH During Marijuana Smoking (3.55% THC)

Toxicology Information Did suspect have current prescription? Date filled / daily dose / tablets remaining? How long has suspect been on meds/dose? Drug interaction and manufactures warning. Were any drugs administered by Medical Staff Drug information/combinations and effects Driving studies

Pre-trial Conference 1. Review of witness qualifications. 2. Review of report. 3. Toxicology results / what do they mean. 4. Questions that defense may raise. 5. Chain of custody issues. 6. Independent analysis if any (60 days). 7. Field sobriety observations vs Tox results. 8. Anything unusual about the case? Drugs administered by medical personnel? Don’t be surprised by your own witness .

Courtroom Questions and Testimony OSBI Results / Drug effects on individual? Consistent with SFST / Witness Statements Studies and Literature / Driving Studies Field Sobriety Testing and Observations

Storage of Evidence Non-Fatality DUI Evidence is destroyed 4 months from date received. Fatality DUI evidence is destroyed 6 months from date received. All other evidence is returned to the submitting agency.

Most common reported drugs Ethyl Alcohol THC/THCA Methamphetamine Diazepam Carisoprodol Alprazolam Hydrocodone MDMA Cocaine Oxycodone

QUESTIONS ??? Paul Wallace 405-715-9526