Forensics Toxicology Review - 2022
Mathieu Orfila - ANSfather of toxicology
Define Toxicology - ANSthe study of harmful effects of chemicals or drugs on living systems
Define Forensic Toxicology - ANSis that branch of toxicology that deals
with the medico-legal aspects of toxicology.
Define Tolerance - ANSin response to prolonged, heavy intake of
alcohol or other drugs, the body's need for
progressively larger amounts of a chemical to cause the
same levels of intoxication
Outline the 2 main jobs of a toxicologist - ANSdetect and identify drugs and poisons
in body fluids, tissues, and organs AND determine their
influence on humans
which drugs make up the majority of those see in a typical lab? - ANSalcohol, marijuana, and
cocaine
pharmacokinetics - ANSthe study of the bodily absorption, distribution,
metabolism, and excretion of drugs
what type of alcohol is found in most alcoholic beverages? - ANSethanol
how is alcohol absorbed? - ANSAlcohol diffuses through the stomach
(20%) and small intestines (80%) and gets into the blood stream (not digested in stomach)
how and where is alcohol metabolized? - ANSby Oxidation in the liver
C2H5OH → CH3OH → CH3COOH → CO2 + H20
Ethanol Acetalhyde Acetic Acid (vinegar)
how could you determine how dangerous a controlled substance is? - ANSPut into one of five
schedules, or categories
confirmation tests - ANSa single test that identifies a substance
color tests - ANSmix samples with chemicals to observe a resulting color change
Microcrystalline Tests - ANSdrop of a chemical reagent is added to a small quantity of the drug
on a microscopic slide.
, Chromatography - ANSseparating and identifying the components of a mixture.
Spectrophotometry - ANSidentifies a substance by exposing it to a specific type of
electromagnetic radiation.
Immunoassay - ANSAn analytic method that identifies a target molecule by its specific
interaction with another molecule.
Mass Spectometry - ANSusually used in addition to Gas Chromatography. As the components
of the mixture are separated by GC, they flow into the MS
Poison - ANSAny substance that causes disturbance to an organism
Toxin - ANSA poison produced naturally by an organism
Illicit or Illegal drugs - ANSNo accepted use in the US
Controlled Substances - ANSlegal drugs whose sale, possession, and use are restricted
because of the mind-altering effect of the drugs and the potential for abuse
Legal Drugs - ANSEvery day items like Caffeine, Nicotine, and Alcohol
Different classifications of drugs - ANSNarcotics, Hallucinogens, Depressants, Stimulants, Club
drugs, and Anabolic Steroids
Narcotics pros - ANSReduce pain by suppressing the central nervous systems ability to relay
pain messages to the brain.
Narcotics cons - ANSInduce sleep and depresses vital body functions. An overdose of this can
result in difficulty in breathing, low blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and possibly coma
and death.
Opiates - ANSA narcotic derived from the Asian poppy and is found in Heroin, morphine, and
codeine
Hallucinogens - ANSUsually alters the user's perceptions, thinking self-awareness, and
emotions. Can cause panic attacks, seizures, headaches, and sometimes psychosis that can
last for weeks. Can also raise heart rate leading to heart failure.
Varieties of Hallucinogens - ANSMarijuana, MDMA("Ecstacy"), Mescaline, LSD(Lysergic Acid, or
simply "Acid"), PCP(Phencyclidine or "Angel Dust"), and Mushrooms
Mathieu Orfila - ANSfather of toxicology
Define Toxicology - ANSthe study of harmful effects of chemicals or drugs on living systems
Define Forensic Toxicology - ANSis that branch of toxicology that deals
with the medico-legal aspects of toxicology.
Define Tolerance - ANSin response to prolonged, heavy intake of
alcohol or other drugs, the body's need for
progressively larger amounts of a chemical to cause the
same levels of intoxication
Outline the 2 main jobs of a toxicologist - ANSdetect and identify drugs and poisons
in body fluids, tissues, and organs AND determine their
influence on humans
which drugs make up the majority of those see in a typical lab? - ANSalcohol, marijuana, and
cocaine
pharmacokinetics - ANSthe study of the bodily absorption, distribution,
metabolism, and excretion of drugs
what type of alcohol is found in most alcoholic beverages? - ANSethanol
how is alcohol absorbed? - ANSAlcohol diffuses through the stomach
(20%) and small intestines (80%) and gets into the blood stream (not digested in stomach)
how and where is alcohol metabolized? - ANSby Oxidation in the liver
C2H5OH → CH3OH → CH3COOH → CO2 + H20
Ethanol Acetalhyde Acetic Acid (vinegar)
how could you determine how dangerous a controlled substance is? - ANSPut into one of five
schedules, or categories
confirmation tests - ANSa single test that identifies a substance
color tests - ANSmix samples with chemicals to observe a resulting color change
Microcrystalline Tests - ANSdrop of a chemical reagent is added to a small quantity of the drug
on a microscopic slide.
, Chromatography - ANSseparating and identifying the components of a mixture.
Spectrophotometry - ANSidentifies a substance by exposing it to a specific type of
electromagnetic radiation.
Immunoassay - ANSAn analytic method that identifies a target molecule by its specific
interaction with another molecule.
Mass Spectometry - ANSusually used in addition to Gas Chromatography. As the components
of the mixture are separated by GC, they flow into the MS
Poison - ANSAny substance that causes disturbance to an organism
Toxin - ANSA poison produced naturally by an organism
Illicit or Illegal drugs - ANSNo accepted use in the US
Controlled Substances - ANSlegal drugs whose sale, possession, and use are restricted
because of the mind-altering effect of the drugs and the potential for abuse
Legal Drugs - ANSEvery day items like Caffeine, Nicotine, and Alcohol
Different classifications of drugs - ANSNarcotics, Hallucinogens, Depressants, Stimulants, Club
drugs, and Anabolic Steroids
Narcotics pros - ANSReduce pain by suppressing the central nervous systems ability to relay
pain messages to the brain.
Narcotics cons - ANSInduce sleep and depresses vital body functions. An overdose of this can
result in difficulty in breathing, low blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and possibly coma
and death.
Opiates - ANSA narcotic derived from the Asian poppy and is found in Heroin, morphine, and
codeine
Hallucinogens - ANSUsually alters the user's perceptions, thinking self-awareness, and
emotions. Can cause panic attacks, seizures, headaches, and sometimes psychosis that can
last for weeks. Can also raise heart rate leading to heart failure.
Varieties of Hallucinogens - ANSMarijuana, MDMA("Ecstacy"), Mescaline, LSD(Lysergic Acid, or
simply "Acid"), PCP(Phencyclidine or "Angel Dust"), and Mushrooms
