1 FORENSIC SCIENCE Toxicology

Forensic File #2 u What does a forensic toxicologist help determine (2 things) ?? 2

Forensic File #2 u What does a forensic toxicologist help determine? u The cause and effect relationships between exposure to a drug or substance u The toxic or lethal effects from exposure 3

Today’s Assignments u Due today- Intro to Toxicology webquest u Over the next two days: Get both sets of notes from MHS website u Labs: Spot test, Urine analysis, Drugs and Money u Review: Spectroscopy analysis 4

What is a drug? u A natural or synthetic substance that is used to produce physiological effects in humans or other higher order animals 5

What is a controlled substance? u All drugs covered by law that are somehow restricted. u There are 5 categories of controlled drugs: Hallucinogens Stimulants Narcotics (analgesics) Depressants Steroids 6

Hallucinogens u What are they? Substances that induces change in mood, attitude, thoughts or perceptions u Examples: most popular is marijuana, others include PCP & LSD, Psilocybin (“magic mushrooms”), Ecstasy, ketamine u The effect and intensity of response to these drugs varies from person to person 7

Hallucinogens u Often derived from plants, hallucinogens affect the user’s perceptions, thinking, self- awareness and emotions u Effects of an overdose can include: increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, panic attack, anxiety, psychosis 8

Hallucinogens u The most widely used illicit drug in the U.S. is marijuana which is a preparation of the plant Cannabis. It consists of crushed leaves mixed with flowers, stem and seeds. The plant secretes a sticky resin known as hashish. u The active ingredient is tetrahydrocannabinol, which is known as THC. 9

Hallucinogens u The THC content varies in differnet parts of the plant. The stem, root and seeds have low THC content. u Pakistani and Afghan resin comes in hard, brittle blocks and have approximately 3.5% THC u Cannabis oil concentrated liquid resin form which looks like motor oil has 20-65% THC content 10

Halllucinogens: u LSD: causes visual & auditory hallucinations, can cause psychosis, flashbacks, impaired memory and possible teratogen (causes birth defects) u PCP (phencyclidine): insensitivity to pain, rage, memory loss & paranoia u Ketamine (special K): animal tranquilizer can cause delirium, amnesia, depression & long-term memory problems 11

Narcotics u Analgesic or pain-killing substance that depresses vital body functions such as blood pressure, pulse rate and breathing rate. The regular administration of narcotics will produce physical dependence u Affects the central nervous system u Narcotics reduce pain and can be very habit forming 12

Narcotics (analgesics) u Examples: morphine & derivative heroin, methadone, codiene, oxycontin u Otc: mild analgesics- aspirin, tylenol, motrin u Overdoses can cause death u Synthetic narcotics: methadone (heroin substitute used in rehab), oxycodon (Percocet), fentanyl is 100 times stronger than morphine (spawned series of designer drugs known as China White) 13

Stimulants u A substance taken to increase alertness or activity u Common stimulants: amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, crack, nicotine, caffeine u Stimulants increase feelings of energy and alertness while suppressing appetite u As the drug wears off, however, depression often results u Effects of an overdose can include: high blood pressure, agitation, confusion, seizures u Stimulants tend to be highly addictive 14

Stimulants- Amphetamines u Legal preparations are white, odorless, crystalline powders with a bitter taste u Illegal preparations include fine to coarse powders, crystals and chunks, most common colors are off-white, yellow and pink u Uppers or bennies 15

Stimulants- Street amphetamine u Illegally produced amphetamines often have a strong, unpleasant smell which may be “fishy” or ammonia-like (cat urine) u Can be adulterated with sugar, caffeine or other stimulants 16

Stimulants u Methamphetamine- (speed or crank)more potent than amphetamine u Ice is made from methylamphetamine hydrochloride u Cocaine- a naturally occurring alkaloid found in the coca plant (Erythroxylon coca) which grows in high elevations in the Andes mountains. u Cocaine can enter the body via: smoking, snorting or injecting u The cocaine supplier will neutralize the original product with baking soda, cooling then produces precipitate cocaine, drying the precipitate forms a cake which is broken into rocks 17

Anabolic Steroids u These drugs are produced in a laboratory and have a chemical structure similar to testosterone u Anabolic steroids promote cell growth and tissue growth increasing bone mass and body muscle u Because of this, they are popular with weight lifters, bodybuilders and other athletes u Side effects include: altered mood, personality changes, depression, rages, skin breakouts, elevated blood pressure 18

Depressants u Act on central nervous system and increase the activity of a neurotransmitter called GABA u Increased GABA production results in drowsiness and slowed brain activity u These drugs, consequently, relieve anxiety, calm irritability and produce sleep u Mixing depressants with alcohol and other drugs increases their effects and health risks, possibly leading to coma and death. 19

Depressants u Common depressants: alcohol, barbituates, tranquilizers, glue, quaaludes, librium, valium u Most prescribed to help with sleep disorders (phenobarbital, nembutal & seconal) 20

Club Drugs u This term refers to synthetic drugs that are used in nightclubs, bars and raves u Include ecstasy and roofies u Unsuspecting victims become drowsy or dizzy and when combined with alcohol it can lead to memory loss and blackouts, hence them being called date rape drugs. 21