Fluids& Toxicology

Fluids There are 32 body fluids that may be found at a crime scene Some of them include amniotic fluid, bile, cerebrospinal fluid, mucus, perspiration, phlegm, saliva, semen, tears, urine, vomit

Toxicology The study of poisons and the identification of drugs and other substances a person may have used for medicinal, recreational, or criminal purposes

Exposure to Toxins Four ways to be exposed to toxins 1. ingesting them into the gastrointestinal system 2. inhaling them into the lungs 3. injecting them into the bloodstream 4. absorbing them through the skin

Toxicity The degree to which a substance is poisonous or can cause injury Depends on: Dosage (how much is taken in) Duration (frequency and length of exposure) Nature of exposure (ingested, inhaled, absorbed, etc.) Any potential interactions within the body Harmful metabolites formed in the body

Testing for Toxicity Performance of chemical tests to analyze body fluids, stomach contents, skin, and hair In the case of lethal exposures, internal organs (like the liver) and the vitreous humor fluid of the eye are analyzed

Classification of Toxic Substances Intentionally – as in drugs taken to treat an illness or relieve pain Accidentally – ingested or exposed, as in unintentional overdoses or harmful combinations Deliberately – as in suicide or exposures intended to harm or kill others

Murder by Poison Not very common (only one half of one percent of all homicides are poisonings) Historical victims of poisoning Socrates (399 BC) – hemlock poisoning Nazi Leaders Heinrich Himmler & Hermann Goering (1945) – cyanide poisoning Jonestown cult members (1978) – cyanide poisoning Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko (2006) - radiation

Acute vs Chronic Poisoning Acute poisoning – caused by a high dose over a short period of time, like cyanide ingestion or inhalation, which immediately produces symptoms Chronic poisoning – caused by lower doses over long periods of time, like mercury or lead poisoning, which produces symptoms gradually

Accidental Drug Overdoses Much more common than death from poisoning Examples: John Belushi, Chris Farley, River Phoenix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Anna Nicole Smith, Heath Ledger

Drugs and Crime Illegal drugs – drugs with no currently accepted medical use in the United States Marijuana, heroin, LSD Controlled substances – legal drugs, whose sale, possession and use are restricted because of the effect of the drugs and the potential for abuse Ex.; medications such as narcotics, depressants, stimulants *** drug offenders make up more than ½ of the federal prison population and 20% of the state prison population

Controlled Substances Five Classes of Controlled Substances 1. Hallucinogens 2. Narcotics 3. Stimulants 4. Anabolic steroids 5. Depressants

Hallucinogens Affect the user’s perceptions, thinking, self-awareness, and emotions 1. LSD – lysergic acid diethylamide 2. PCP – 3. mescaline 4. marijuana

Narcotics Act to reduce pain by suppressing the central nervous system’s ability to relay pain messages to the brain 1. Opium & it’s derivatives heroin & codeine 2. Hydrocodone (vicodin, lortab) 3. Methadone 4. Morphine 5. Oxycodone (percocet, oxycontin) 6. Codeine pain relievers (tylenol 3)

Stimulants Increase feelings of energy and alertness while suppressing appetite; depression results when the effects wear off 1. amphetamines 2. methamphetamines (more potent than amphetamines) 3. cocaine (including crack)

Anabolic Steroids Promotes cell and tissue growth and division Produced in the laboratory and have a similar chemical structure to testosterone Side effects include acne, increased body hair, baldness, “roid rage”, high blood pressure & cholesterol levels, impaired fertility, kidney and liver cancer, and heart attacks

Depressants Relieve anxiety and produce sleep 1. barbiturates 2. benzodiazepine Decreases heart rate which results in drowsiness and slowed brain activity An overdose may slow breathing and cause coma and death…mixing them with alcohol increases their effects

Other Toxins 1. Organic Toxins – poisonous substances produced by living organisms 2. Alcohol 3. Bacterial Toxins Botulism, tetanus 4. Heavy Metals and Pesticides Pesticides, arsenic, lead, mercury Hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, potassium chloride, sodium petothal

Bioterrorism Agents Ricin – a component of the waste product of the manufacture of castor oil from castor beans Can be inhaled, ingested or absorbed in the skin Anthrax – enters body through inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption