9 f forensic toxicology (student version)

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Forensic ToxicologyForensic Toxicology -the study of the chemical and physical properties of toxic substances and their physiological effect on living organisms

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Three Primary ResponsibilitiesThreePrimary Responsibilities 1. Postmortem Drug Testing 2. Workplace Drug Testing 3. Identification of Contraband Materials

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Deaths Investigated byToxicologistsDeaths Investigated by Toxicologists 1. Accidental Poisonings 2. Drug Abuse Cases 3. Suicidal Poisonings 4. Homicidal Poisonings

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Deaths Investigated byToxicologistsDeaths Investigated by Toxicologists 1. Accidental Poisonings 2. Drug Abuse Cases 3. Suicidal Poisonings 4. Homicidal Poisonings

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Toxicological Analysis ofTissueToxicological Analysis of Tissue a. Collect sample of all body fluids b. Collect samples from organs and tissues c. A forensic toxicologist cannot simply look for the presence of a toxin or drug in a body, she must understand how the body processes these molecules d. Toxicological analysis must start as soon as possible after a person’s death

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Toxicological Analysis ofTissueToxicological Analysis of Tissue a. Collect sample of all body fluids b. Collect samples from organs and tissues c. A forensic toxicologist cannot simply look for the presence of a toxin or drug in a body, she must understand how the body processes these molecules d. Toxicological analysis must start as soon as possible after a person’s death

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General Classes ofPoisonsGeneral Classes of Poisons 1. Gases 2. Metallic Poisons 3. Volatile Organics 4. Non-volatile Organics - the major category here is what is known as an alkaloid, a drug that mimics human neurotransmitters or hormones and therefore interferes with normal body chemistry Alkaloids are derived from plants…

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AlkaloidsAlkaloids Common Examples: • Amphetamines– stimulants that provoke euphoria; these drugs mimic catecholamines in the human body (adrenaline, etc) • Cocaine – natural stimulant that acts as a mimic to catecholamines; metabolites are detected in urine for as many as 3 days • Opiates – depressants that reduce muscle activity, heartbeat, respiration, and the inclination to sleep; effective pain relievers and euphoria producing; opiates mimic endorphins in the human body • Cannabinoids – fast acting plant alkaloid; body mimic is unknown; metabolites can be detected in urine for months

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AlkaloidsAlkaloids adrenaline amphetamine cocaine ecstasy serotonin

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Methods of DetectionMethodsof Detection 1. Color test 2. Microdiffusion test 3. Chromatography a. thin-layer chromatography (TLC) b. gas chromatography (GC) c. high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) 4. Spectroscopy a. UV light d. X-ray b. visible light e. infrared c. microwave

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Example UV-vis Spectrum

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Example IR Spectrum

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Methods of DetectionMethodsof Detection 5. Mass Spectroscopy 6. Immunoassay

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Methods of DetectionMethodsof Detection 5. Mass Spectroscopy 6. Immunoassay

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Interpretation of FindingsInterpretationof Findings 1. Is a drug or poison present? What substance? 2. How much of the substance is present? Is it’s concentration in the body sufficient to cause death? 3. How was the drug/poison administered?

9 f forensic toxicology (student version)

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9 f forensic toxicology (student version)