The Community College of Baltimore County School of Business, Criminal Justice and Law Criminalistics CRJU 112 Module 12: Drugs and Drug Analysis and Forensic Technology Module IntroductionModule 12 covers the analyses performed by the forensic laboratories in the US of controlled substances. The substances examined, generally referred to as drugs, are substances that produce physiological or psychological effects on the body. The major classes of drugs of abuse are narcotics, stimulants, hallucinogens, depressants / hypnotics / tranquilizers, club drugs, and performance-enhancing drugs. Also discussed is toxicology, which is a separate discipline from drug chemistry, analyzing biological samples for the presence of toxins, controlled substance, or drugs. Module Objectives 1. State what makes a substance a drug. 2. Understand the nature of drug dependency and its two major forms. 3. Identify each of the major classes of abused drugs, with examples. 4. Processing of suspected controlled substances samples through the crime lab. 5. Outline the analytical steps from initial physical description to unambiguous identification. 6. Explain the analysis of body fluid and tissue samples for drugs and poisons (forensic toxicology). 7. Describe the critical role the forensic toxicologist plays in alcohol and drug impaired driving cases. Learning Activities Address the following learning activities for successful completion of this module: · Read Chapter 12 (pp. 310 - 337). · Review the video titled Toxicology (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxgzumkTEeQ&list=PL57ED4FF6B97F66ED&index=7) This video can also be found in the Course Video folder in the Course Menu. · Read the following documents NIJ - Forensic Toxicology (http://www.nij.gov/topics/forensics/evidence/toxicology/pages/welcome.aspx) Briefing: What is Forensic Toxicology (http://www.abft.org/files/WHAT%20IS%20FORENSIC%20TOXICOLOGY.pdf) · Review the Power Points for Chapter 12. Watch the following video titled Complete the following writing assignments: Part A.)  Answer the following Review Questions (short answer) on page 337: 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7 (worth up to 10 points). Part B.) Answer the Fill-in-the-Blank & Multiple-choice Questions 1 through 5 on page 337 (worth up to 10 points). (HINT: For Q. 1 it is not caffeine.) Part C.) After viewing the video and reading the documents listed above, describe in paragraph form, the job responsibilities of a forensic toxicologist (worth up to 10 points). Note: You can also research this topic in your textbook and other sources online. Do not cut and paste; describe the job responsibilities of the forensic toxicologist in your own words.   Other resources to help with the above assignment: Forensic Science - Toxicology and Drugs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk-ykYYwbu0) Forensic Toxicology - An Introduction (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ECbqEGmIck&feature=related) Forensic Toxicology (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9X1bwt0-TI&featur ...

1. The Community College of Baltimore County
School of Business, Criminal Justice and Law
Criminalistics
CRJU 112
Module 12: Drugs and Drug Analysis and Forensic Technology
Module IntroductionModule 12 covers the analyses performed
by the forensic laboratories in the US of controlled substances.
The substances examined, generally referred to as drugs, are
substances that produce physiological or psychological effects
on the body. The major classes of drugs of abuse are narcotics,
stimulants, hallucinogens, depressants / hypnotics /
tranquilizers, club drugs, and performance-enhancing drugs.
Also discussed is toxicology, which is a separate discipline
from drug chemistry, analyzing biological samples for the
presence of toxins, controlled substance, or drugs.
Module Objectives
1. State what makes a substance a drug.
2. Understand the nature of drug dependency and its two major
forms.
3. Identify each of the major classes of abused drugs, with
examples.
4. Processing of suspected controlled substances samples
through the crime lab.
5. Outline the analytical steps from initial physical description
to unambiguous identification.
6. Explain the analysis of body fluid and tissue samples for
drugs and poisons (forensic toxicology).
7. Describe the critical role the forensic toxicologist plays in
alcohol and drug impaired driving cases.
Learning Activities

2. Address the following learning activities for successful
completion of this module:
· Read Chapter 12 (pp. 310 - 337).
· Review the video titled Toxicology
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxgzumkTEeQ&list=PL57
ED4FF6B97F66ED&index=7)
This video can also be found in the Course Video folder in the
Course Menu.
· Read the following documents NIJ - Forensic Toxicology
(http://www.nij.gov/topics/forensics/evidence/toxicology/pages/
welcome.aspx)
Briefing: What is Forensic Toxicology
(http://www.abft.org/files/WHAT%20IS%20FORENSIC%20TO
XICOLOGY.pdf)
· Review the Power Points for Chapter 12. Watch the following
video titled Complete the following writing assignments:
Part A.) Answer the following Review Questions (short answer)
on page 337: 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7 (worth up to 10 points).
Part B.) Answer the Fill-in-the-Blank & Multiple-choice
Questions 1 through 5 on page 337 (worth up to 10 points).
(HINT: For Q. 1 it is not caffeine.)
Part C.) After viewing the video and reading the documents
listed above, describe in paragraph form, the job responsibilities
of a forensic toxicologist (worth up to 10 points).
Note: You can also research this topic in your textbook and
other sources online. Do not cut and paste; describe the job
responsibilities of the forensic toxicologist in your own words.
Other resources to help with the above assignment:

3. Forensic Science - Toxicology and Drugs
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk-ykYYwbu0)
Forensic Toxicology - An Introduction
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ECbqEGmIck&feature=rela
ted)
Forensic Toxicology
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9X1bwt0-
TI&feature=related)
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Save your work on your
computer using a file name that you will remember for the work
associated with this module (for example, Module 11). Once
you have saved your work to your computer, submit your work
to the Assignment Box.
1
Chapter 12
Drugs and Drug Analysis and
Forensic ToxicologyNature of Drugs and Drug AbuseMajor
Classes of Abused DrugsControlled Substance LawsAnalysis of
Controlled Substances in the Forensic LaboratoryForensic
Toxicology –
Antemortem and PostmortemAlcohol and Drugs and
Driving

4. I. Nature of Drugs and Drug Abuse
1. Working Definition of a Drug:A drug is any substance that
produces physiological or psychological change within a short
period of time after ingestion and from a easily ingested dose
2. Nature of Drug Dependence:Drug dependence is when an
individual becomes strongly attached to a drugDependency is
subdivided into two categories: physiological and psychological
I. Nature of Drugs and Drug Abuse
2a. Physiological Dependence:With physiological dependence,
there is a need by the body to have the drug presentA person
experiences sickness if they stop taking the drug
2b. Psychological Dependence:A person develops an
uncontrollable “craving” (mental or emotional need) for a
drugThe craving is a desperate need to continue
I. Nature of Drugs and Drug Abuse
Drugs and Society - Controlled Substances:Access to drugs is
regulated by the Federal Controlled Substances Act and by State
Acts in all 50 StatesThe Drug Enforcement Administration of
the US DOJ administers the Controlled Substances ActSociety
through its laws tries to control the abuse of drugsForensic
science laboratories are involved with cases where drugs have
been abused
II. Major Classes of Abused Drugs
Drugs of abuse can be divided into six basic categoriesNarcotic
Drugs – taken to dull pain (analgesic)Stimulants – taken to

5. increase mental and physical energyHallucinogens – taken to
change one’s mental stateDepressants, Hypnotics, &
Tranquilizers – taken to dull one’s senses, to reduce anxiety, or
induce sleepClub Drugs – taken to enhance one’s enjoyment of
a party or other social activitiesPerformance Enhancing Drugs –
taken to build muscles, endurance, or enhance athletic
performance
II. Major Classes of Abused Drugs
1. Opiates or Narcotic Drugs:Narcotic drugs are painkillers
(analgesics)Morphine is a narcotic and the primary active drug
in opium, the dried sap of the opium poppy plantOpium can be
smoked directly or
chemically processed to isolate
pure morphineAll natural and drug compounds
derived from opium are known as
opiates
II. Major Classes of Abused DrugsOpiates are psychologically
addictive drugs, with withdrawal causing severe physiological
symptomsCodeine is the second most plentiful chemical
component of opium, used as a strong painkiller and cough
suppressantHeroin, a derivative of
morphine is at least as
addictive as morphineSynthetic painkillers include

6. Darvon & Demerol
II. Major Classes of Abused Drugs
2. Stimulants:Stimulants are taken to make one feel more
energetic, strong, or awakeAmphetamine, methamphetamine,
and cocaine are examples of abused
stimulantsMethamphetamine is the drug most commonly
produced in clandestine labs
II. Major Classes of Abused DrugsCocaine is a very powerful
stimulant and is enormously psychologically addictingCocaine
hydrochloride is usually inhaled through the noseCocaine in its
free
base form, “crack”,
is vaporized by heat
in a pipe and inhaled
into the lungs
II. Major Classes of Abused Drugs
3. Hallucinogens:Are taken to cause a significantly altered
mental state, often including hallucinationsMarijuana is one of
the oldestThe physiologically active ingredients are known as
cannabinoids, found in the resinous leaf coating of Cannabis
sativaThe most active cannabinoid
is THC

7. II. Major Classes of Abused DrugsHashish is another form of
marijuana, traditionally a more potent form, made from the
flowering tops of the plantHash oil is made by taking the plant
material and cooking it with a solvent to remove the plant
resinThe solvent is then evaporated leaving a thick oily material
which is almost pure resinThe concentrated hash oil can be
mixed with tobacco or other vegetable material
II. Major Classes of Abused DrugsLSD is an extremely potent
hallucinogenThe normal dose is only 30-50 microgramsCauses
visual hallucinations, brilliant colors, and the perception that
one is wisePCP or “angel dust” is another popular
hallucinogenPCP is fairly simple to
make, with the vast
majority made in
clandestine labs
II. Major Classes of Abused DrugsNaturally occurring
hallucinogens include peyote, the bud of a particular cactusThe
main active ingredient in peyote is “mescaline”Magic
mushrooms are mushrooms of the genus Psilocybe, which
contains two active
components,

8. psilocin and
psilocybin
II. Major Classes of Abused Drugs
4. Depressants, Hypnotics, & Tranquilizers:Alcohol, a
depressant, is the most abused drug in the Western
worldBarbiturates are highly physiologically active depressants,
resulting in a physical & mental state similar to alcohol-induced
intoxicationValium, a benzodiazepine, is a tranquilizer
drug designed to relieve anxietyRohypnol or “roofies” is a
benzodiazepine
and a major drug of abuse at raves and
the club scene
II. Major Classes of Abused Drugs
5. Club Drugs:MDMA, the “love drug” or “Ecstasy” is either
prepared by clandestine labs, or obtained legally from other
countriesGHB, gamma hydroxybutyrate, is synthesized in
clandestine labs or diverted from legal productionGHB and
related compound GBL, are used for their hypnotic or
depressant
effects
II. Major Classes of Abused DrugsKetamine, is an anesthetic
and animal tranquilizer that can cause anterograde amnesia, the

9. loss of memory while under its influenceRohypnol, GHB, and
ketamine have been implicated in cases of drug-facilitated
sexual assaults, thus also known
as “date-rape” drugs
II. Major Classes of Abused Drugs
6. Athletic Performance Enhancers:Athletes trying to gain a
competitive edge may abuse stimulants and painkillersThe first
drug controlled because of their abuse by athletes were anabolic
steroidsAnabolic steroids promote cell growth
resulting in growth of muscle tissue and
sometimes bone size and strength
III. Controlled Substance LawsA controlled substance is a drug
named in either federal or state statutes that is illegal to possess
except when prescribed by a physicianThe federal government
has created 5 controlled substance schedules, based on their
potential for abuse and medical valueNo medical use (heroin,
LSD, marijuana)Some medical use (Cocaine,
morphine)Anabolic steroids are placed in this scheduleHas most
of the tranquilizers & many diet drugsExempt preparations: e.g.
cough syrup with codeine
IV. Analysis of Controlled Substances in the Forensic
Laboratory
Screening tests:Drug test kits are packets used by police
officers in the field to screen for drugsThe tests are simple to

10. perform and based on color changesA small amount of drug is
added to the pouch, a
sealed ampoule(s) is then
broken to release a
chemical reagent, mixed,
and the color change noted
IV. Analysis of Controlled Substances in the Forensic
LaboratoryThe screening tests are important for establishing
probable cause when making a drug possession arrestHowever,
the screening tests are not a substitute for laboratory
analysisCommonly used screening tests are:The Scott test for
cocaineThe Duquenois-Levine test for marijuanaThe Marquis
test for opiatesThe Van Erk test for many hallucinogenic drugs
IV. Analysis of Controlled Substances in the Forensic
Laboratory
Isolation and Separation:Steps may include an initial
microscopic examination to determine the number of materials
that may be presentA purification step to separate the controlled
substance from other materials, such as diluents (materials
added to a drug to give bulk/volume)A liquid-liquid extraction
or various types of chromatography are commonly used
separation techniques

11. IV. Analysis of Controlled Substances in the Forensic
Laboratory
Microcrystal Tests:A confirmatory test that can be used directly
with street drug samples is the microcrystal testThe test is
performed by taking a small amount of drug, placing it on a
microscope slide and adding a drop of reagentThe shape
(morphology) of the
crystal formed is characteristic
for that particular drug and
reagentThe tests are rapid and specific
IV. Analysis of Controlled Substances in the Forensic
Laboratory
Chromatography (Separations):Chromatography is a process
that separates a mixture of different compoundsSeparation is
achieved by the differences in the partitioning of compounds
between two phases: a moving phase and a
stationary phaseChromatography
provides tentative
identification, based
on retention time (GC)
or distance traveled
(TLC)

12. IV. Analysis of Controlled Substances in the Forensic
Laboratory
Spectroscopy/Spectrometry:Spectroscopy refers to the
interaction of electro-magnetic radiation with a chemical to give
a pattern (spectrum) characteristic of that material’s interaction
with the radiationMass spectroscopy
(MS) or infrared
spectroscopy (IR)
are excellent ways
to identify drugs
IV. Analysis of Controlled Substances in the Forensic
Laboratory
Spectroscopy/Spectrometry:Spectroscopic methods work best
with samples that are relatively pure, thus often combined with
gas chromatography (GC-MS; GC-IR)The combination of
liquid
chromatography and
mass spectrometry
(LC-MS) provides a
retention time along
with a spectrum for
unambiguous

13. identification
IV. Analysis of Controlled Substances in the Forensic
Laboratory
Qualitative versus Quantitative Analysis:Qualitative analysis
means determining whether something is there or not thereWith
most drug laws, a qualitative identification is all that is
necessary (“aggregate weight based law”)Quantitative analysis
indicates how much of that sample is made up of a controlled
substance (percentage of the total for each controlled substance
present in a sample)
V. Forensic Toxicology
Antemortem and PostmortemForensic toxicologists receive
blood, urine or body tissue for analysisToxicologists must be
able to analyze small amounts of drug and isolate them from a
complex biological matrixIn contrast to the work typically done
by drug chemists, a toxicologists needs quantitative information
in order to determine if the amount is consistent with a
therapeutic dose or an abuse dosageToxicologists must aid
others in understanding the effects of the substance on the
human bodySamples from living individuals (antemortem) and
deceased (postmortem) are received for analysis
V. Forensic Toxicology
Antemortem and Postmortem
Antemortem Sample Analysis:A number of laws and rules have

14. to do with the workplace use of drugsUrine specimens from
random drug testing are sent to the forensic lab for toxicology
analysisForensic Toxicology labs also test for the presence of
certain drugs in victims of sexual assault, who may have been
drugged as an adjunct to the assault
V. Forensic Toxicology
Antemortem and Postmortem
Postmortem Sample Analysis:Medical examiners are responsible
for determining the cause and manner of sudden, suspicious, or
unattended deathPostmortem toxicology is done to assist the
medical examiner with this determinationToxicologist’s work is
complicated by the limited amount of drug in the body and by
the natural process of metabolismThe toxicologist looks for
both the drug itself and the metabolites
V. Forensic Toxicology
Antemortem and Postmortem
Classes of Poisons:The presence of poisons in the body may be
critical to law enforcement or public health investigationsThree
basic groups of poisons: Inorganic (arsenic, cadmium,
cyanide)Organic (strychnine, curare, digitalis)Biological
(venoms, botulism, tetradotoxin)
VI. Alcohol and Drugs and Driving
Driving While Impaired by Alcohol:Alcohol is one of the
easiest substances for toxicologists to find in the body fluids,
due to the high dose and its chemical volatilityThere is a good

15. correlation between the amount of alcohol in the blood and the
level of impairmentLaws define the level of alcohol above
which a person would be considered impaired for the purpose of
operating a motor vehicleMost states have defined the limit to
be 0.08% w/v (80 mg ethanol/100 ml of blood)
VI. Alcohol and Drugs and DrivingIn the field, alcohol levels
are determined by capturing a known volume of a person’s
breath using the Breathalyzer or Intoxilyzer instruments
Alcohol levels in the breath can be correlated to levels in the
bloodIn the lab, blood samples
are subjected to alcohol
determinations using the
GC
VI. Alcohol and Drugs and Driving
Other Drugs and Driving:All states have laws against driving
while impaired by drugs besides alcoholCharges are supported
primarily by behavioral observations, but laboratory analysis
showing a significant level of a drug is almost always required
for successful prosecutionProhibited levels for each drug have
not been developed and placed into state laws as with alcohol