Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 1 Chapter 9 Drug Identification and Toxicology By the end of this chapter you will be able to: o Identify the five types of controlled substances o Relate signs and symptoms of overdose with a specific class of drugs or toxins o Describe the role of various types of toxins in causing death o Discuss agents that may be used in bioterrorism o Define and describe the goals and practice of toxicology All Rights Reserved South-Western / Cengage Learning © 2012, 2009

Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 2 Introduction Forensic toxicology helps determine cause- and-effect relationships between o Exposure to a drug or other substance and o Toxic or lethal effects from that exposure o Toxicology is the study of poisons and the identification of drugs. Medicinal, Recreational or Criminal purpose

Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 3 Introduction Toxicity – deals with degree substance is poison or can cause injury. 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

History o Socrates – 399 B.C. (hemlock) o 17 th Century (1600’s) – Rich and famous Arsenic and cyanide o 18 th Century (1700’s) – chemical analysis available Orfila and Christison (M.D.’s) Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 4

5 Poison—Murder, Accidental Overdoses, and Drug Offences 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

Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 6 Controlled Substances Legal drugs – sale and possession are restricted (potential for abuse) 1. Hallucinogens 2. Narcotics 3. Stimulants 4. Anabolic steroids 5. Depressants Know the charts on pages 254 and 25

Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 7 Controlled Substances —Hallucinogens o Often derived from plants o The effect and intensity of response to these drugs varies from person to person. o Affects the user’s perceptions, thinking, self- awareness, and emotions

Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 8 Controlled Substances —Hallucinogens o Affects of an overdose often include Increased heart rate Increased blood pressure Panic attacks, anxiety, or psychosis

Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 9 Controlled Substances —Hallucinogens

Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 10 Controlled Substances —Narcotics

Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 11 Controlled Substances —Stimulants o Increases feelings of energy and alertness o Suppresses appetite o Afterwards, depression often results o Overdose affects include high blood pressure, agitation, confusion, seizures o Stimulants tend to be highly addictive

Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 12 Controlled Substances —Stimulants

Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 13 Controlled Substances —Anabolic Steroids o A chemical structure similar to testosterone o Promote cell and tissue growth increasing bone mass and body muscle. o Popular with weightlifters, bodybuilders, and other athletes o What are some of the negative side effects?

Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 14 Controlled Substances —Depressants o Affects the central nervous system by increasing GABA activity, a neurotransmitter o Increased GABA causes drowsiness and slowed brain activity o Relieves anxiety and produces sleep o Side effects include slurred speech and loss of coordination o Mixing depressants with alcohol and other drugs increases potency and health risks

Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 15 Controlled Substances —Alcohols o In what way are alcohols toxic? Acetaldehyde…..acetic acid……hangover symptoms o How is grain alcohol produced? Fermentation of sugar in fruits and grains o What are the classic symptoms of a hangover? Dehydration, nausea, headache, weakness o What is the effect of alcohol on the central nervous system? Depression o What can chronic alcohol abuse cause? Liver damage and dangerous behavior

Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 16 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 – painful spasms Causes irreversible damage to nerve endings Extremely deadly in very small amounts Most poisonous biological substance

Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 17 Controlled Substances —Pesticides and Heavy Metals

Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 18 Controlled Substances —Pesticides and Heavy Metals

Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 19 Controlled Substances —Bioterrorism Agents Ricin o A poisonous protein in the castor bean o Lethal in extremely small amounts o Enters the body in various ways: inhaled as a mist or a powder ingested as food or drink injected into the body o Causes death within a few hours

Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 20 Controlled Substances—Bioterrorism Agents Anthrax o Bacillus anthracis, which forms endospores o Spreads to humans from infected animals o 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

Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter Summary Summary o Forensic toxicology seeks to identify poisons or drugs in criminals and victims. o Toxicology is important in studying cases of drug overdose and sporting violations.

Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter Summary Summary.... o Controlled substances fall into five main groups: Hallucinogens Narcotic Stimulants Steroids Depressants

Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter Summary Summary o Poisons can be produced by living organisms. o Pesticides and heavy metals are common poisons. o Bioterrorism agents include ricin and anthrax.