1. Chapter 6
Forensic Toxicology

2. The Role of Forensic Toxicology
What does a forensic toxicologist do?
detect and identify drugs and poisons in body fluids, tissues, and organs
What types of cases are investigated by forensic toxicologists?
drug-related deaths
Accidental poisonings
Suicidal poisonings
Homicidal poisonings

3. Toxicology of Alcohol
knowing how the body metabolizes alcohol allows one to understand its effects and detect its presence
Metabolism-the transformation of substances in the body in order to facilitate elimination from the body.

4. Metabolism of Alcohol 3 Basic Steps:
Absorption-alcohol is absorbed into the blood stream from the walls of the stomach and small intestine
Distribution- alcohol becomes distributed uniformly throughout the body’s fluids.
Elimination- occurs by oxidation and excretion

5. Factors that Affect Absorption
Alcohol content of beverage
Amount consumed
Rate of consumption
Quantity and type of food in the stomach

6. Elimination Alcohol is eliminated from the body by:
Oxidation- alcohol is converted to carbon dioxide and water; process starts in the liver; % of alcohol is oxidized
Excretion- The remaining alcohol is released in breath, urine, and perspiration

7. Blood Alcohol Concentration
Amount of alcohol exhaled is directly proportional to the amount of alcohol in the blood
Blood alcohol concentration is directly proportional to the alcohol content in the brain

8. Circulation Definitions
Artery—a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart
Vein—a blood vessel that transports blood toward the heart
Capillary—a tiny blood vessel—walls exchange materials between blood and tissues
Alveoli—small sacs in lungs—exchange vapors between breath and blood

9. Circulation

10. Circulation