POISONS Many plants and animals produce toxins(poisons produced naturally by organisms)—as protection against predators. Venomous snakes & spiders produce venoms that cause nausea and vomiting; others may even cause paralysis, convulsions, or death. Venomous snakes Forensic Science II: Physiology of Alcohol and Poisons, Chapter 9 © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved 1

Some plants toxin can be fatal (fruit or leaves from the nightshade plant or bulbs of daffodils) Some insects (wasps and bees) inject toxins into the human body (symptoms- mild swelling and itching, allergic to the toxin may have much stronger responses, such as dizziness, weakness, confusion, and even unconsciousness and death.) Forensic Science II: Physiology of Alcohol and Poisons, Chapter 9 © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved 2

Physiology of Poisons Ingested Inhaled Absorbed Injected Forensic Science II: Physiology of Alcohol and Poisons, Chapter 9 © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved 3

Ingested Poisons Majority (90%)of all poisonings occur at home & involve young children swallowing house- hold products, cleaning products, cosmetics, and over-the- counter medications(analgesics, or painkillers). Absorbed through the lining of the intestinal tract. Depending on the poison ingested, the target may be a specific organ, a region of the body, or the nervous system. Forensic Science II: Physiology of Alcohol and Poisons, Chapter 9 © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved 4

Inhaled Poisons Carbon monoxide gas combines with the hemoglobin in red blood cells, replacing oxygen and causing asphyxia. Low concentrations of the gas cause dizziness, shortness of breath, or loss of consciousness. Higher concentrations-death occurs. Blood gas analysis and the color of lividity help the medical examiner and toxicologist identify carbon monoxide poisoning. Forensic Science II: Physiology of Alcohol and Poisons, Chapter 9 © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved 5

Inhaled Poisons Sarin (nerve gas);absorbed through the skin when mixed with organic solvents Can be used as a WMD interfere with nerve impulses In large concentrations- convulsions, respiratory failure, and even death In small concentrations-it is possible for victim to recover with proper medications recovery is possible. Forensic Science II: Physiology of Alcohol and Poisons, Chapter 9 © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved 6

Injected Poisons Heroin (produces euphoria almost instantly, followed by drowsiness and a sense of well-being.) In the brain, heroin is converted into morphine. If the dose of the drug is high enough, the respiratory centers in the brain become depressed which can lead to respiratory arrest. Forensic Science II: Physiology of Alcohol and Poisons, Chapter 9 © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved 7

Absorbed Poisons Absorbed through the skin, eyes, or mucous membranes. Sarin- absorbed & inhaled. Symptoms of the absorbed poison include redness and irritation, blisters, or even death. Forensic Science II: Physiology of Alcohol and Poisons, Chapter 9 © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved 8

Absorbed Poisons Poisons like: The sticky sap of poison sumac produce a blistering rash (see Figure 9-16). Yperite (mustard gas)- Absorbed-bistering of the skin; attacks cornea of the eyes, leading to blindness Inhaled- strips away the mucosal lining of the bronchial tubes, causing difficulty in breathing. Forensic Science II: Physiology of Alcohol and Poisons, Chapter 9 © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved 9

Ricin Introduced by injection, inhalation, or ingestion. By- product of processing the castor bean plant. Inhibits protein synthesis by inactivating the ribosomes. – Without functioning ribosomes, cells die. Forensic Science II: Physiology of Alcohol and Poisons, Chapter 9 © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved 10

Not absorbed unless mixed with an absorbable solvent. Inhaled- produces coughing, tightness in the chest, and fever within a few hours. Cells in the respiratory tract eventually die and respiratory failure occurs. Ingested-causes lesions in the digestive tract. These lesions cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. Death-three to five days after exposure. Forensic Science II: Physiology of Alcohol and Poisons, Chapter 9 © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved 11

Anthrax Can enter the body in several ways. Infection caused by the spores of the bacterium Bacillus anthracis (see Figure 9-17). Ingestion – rare; from eating undercooked or raw meat from an infected animal. – causes inflammation of the intestinal tract, leading to symptoms similar to food poisoning: abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Forensic Science II: Physiology of Alcohol and Poisons, Chapter 9 © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved 12

Absorbed - on the skin— cutaneous anthrax—causes blisters and is usually nonfatal. – from contact with contaminated soil, animals, or animal products, such as hides and wool. Inhalation- deadliest; dried bacterial spores become airborne and are inhaled. – Symptoms-a month or two after exposure. – After latent period  fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, headache, chest and abdominal pain. After several days lungs fill with fluid, shock, death in three to seven days after the first symptoms appear. Forensic Science II: Physiology of Alcohol and Poisons, Chapter 9 © 2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved 13