1. Fluids& Toxicology

2. Fluids 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

3. Toxicology
The study of poisons and the identification of drugs and other substances a person may have used for medicinal, recreational, or criminal purposes

4. Exposure to Toxins 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

5. Toxicity
The degree to which a substance is poisonous or can cause injury
Depends on:
Dosage (how much is taken in)
Duration (frequency and length of exposure)
Nature of exposure (ingested, inhaled, absorbed, etc.)
Any potential interactions within the body
Harmful metabolites formed in the body

6. Testing for Toxicity
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

7. Classification of Toxic Substances
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

8. Murder by Poison
Not very common (only one half of one percent of all homicides are poisonings)
Historical victims of poisoning
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

9. Acute vs Chronic Poisoning
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

10. Accidental Drug Overdoses
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

11. Drugs and Crime
Illegal drugs – drugs with no currently accepted medical use in the United States
Marijuana, heroin, LSD
Controlled substances – legal drugs, whose sale, possession and use are restricted because of the effect of the drugs and the potential for abuse
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

12. Controlled Substances
Five Classes of Controlled Substances
1. Hallucinogens
2. Narcotics
3. Stimulants
4. Anabolic steroids
5. Depressants

13. Hallucinogens
Affect the user’s perceptions, thinking, self-awareness, and emotions
1. LSD – lysergic acid diethylamide
2. PCP –
3. mescaline
4. marijuana

14. Narcotics
Act to reduce pain by suppressing the central nervous system’s ability to relay pain messages to the brain
1. Opium & it’s derivatives heroin & codeine
2. Hydrocodone (vicodin, lortab)
3. Methadone
4. Morphine
5. Oxycodone (percocet, oxycontin)
6. Codeine pain relievers (tylenol 3)

15. Stimulants
Increase feelings of energy and alertness while suppressing appetite; depression results when the effects wear off
1. amphetamines
2. methamphetamines (more potent than amphetamines)
3. cocaine (including crack)

16. Anabolic Steroids 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

17. Depressants Relieve anxiety and produce sleep
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

18. Other Toxins
1. Organic Toxins – poisonous substances produced by living organisms
2. Alcohol
3. Bacterial Toxins
Botulism, tetanus
4. Heavy Metals and Pesticides
Pesticides, arsenic, lead, mercury
Hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, potassium chloride, sodium petothal

19. Bioterrorism Agents
Ricin – a component of the waste product of the manufacture of castor oil from castor beans
Can be inhaled, ingested or absorbed in the skin
Anthrax – enters body through inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption