Toxicology Test 2/18/2016

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

Forensic Toxicology Helps determine the cause-and-effect relationships between exposure to a drug or other substance and toxic or lethal effects from exposure

Toxic Exposure People can be exposed to toxins in three ways: Intentionally By treating illness or relieving pain Accidentally By harmful combinations or overdoses Deliberately- Dun Dun Duuuun By harming or killing others

Forensic History “Inheritance Powder” was a term given to the widespread use of arsenic as a poison 1800’s chemical methods to detect arsenic and other toxins become available Mathieu Orfila (1787-1853) and Robert Christison (1797-1853) become the first physicians to popularize these methods for forensic use.

Father of Toxicology Mathieu Orfila 1787-1853 French Founded Toxicology Earliest Promoter of chemistry in the courtroom Wrote: Treatise of General Toxicology Maria Lafarge case

Poisoning History Poison is NOT a common form of murder. Famous Poisonings: Famous Overdoses:

Poison: Murder, Overdose, and Drug Offenders Acute vs. Chronic Poisoning Acute Caused by a high doses over a short period of time which immediately produces symptoms Cyanide ingestion or inhalation Chronic Caused by lower doses over long periods of time which produces symptoms gradually Mercury and Lead poisoning Munchausen

Poison: Murder, Overdose, and Drug Offenders Poison as a form of murder Causes less than .5% of all homicides Accidental Overdoses are more common Drug Offenders More than 50% of all federal detainees Approximately 20% of state detainees

Controlled Substance Definition Drugs whose sale, possession, and use are restricted because of the effect of the drugs and the potential for abuse. Includes Illegal drugs and prescription medications

Controlled Substance There are five categories **DEA uses “schedules” 1. Hallucinogens 2. Narcotics 3. Stimulants 4. Anabolic Steroids 5. Depressants **DEA uses “schedules” Ex. Schedule 1 are defined as drugs with no accepted medical use and can result in severe dependence Ex. Schedule 5 Drugs with lower potential for abuse in certain prescribed quantities

Controlled Substance: Hallucinogens Origin: often from plants Affect: Intensity varies from person to person; Affects perception, thinking, self-awareness, and emotions Alters level of serotonin transmission

Controlled Substance: Hallucinogens Symptoms of Overdose: Increased Heart rate or heart failure Increased Blood Pressure Panic Attacks, Anxiety, Psychosis, or Hallucinations

Controlled Substance: Hallucinogens Examples: MDMA or Ecstasy Overheating causes kidney and heart failure = death Mescaline Main ingredient in Peyote LSD Visual impairments PCP Symptoms resemble schizophrenia

Controlled Substance: Narcotics Affect: Habit forming Reduce pain by suppressing the central nervous system’s ability to relay pain messages to the brain

Controlled Substance: Narcotics Symptoms of Overdose Difficulty breathing Seizures low blood pressure coma or loss of consciousness Blue fingertips and lips Clammy skin

Controlled Substance: Narcotics Examples Opium Heroine Codeine Morphine Oxycodone Video

Controlled Substance: Stimulants Affect: Highly addictive Suppresses appetite Increases feeling of energy and alertness Depression is often a result of the drug after it is metabolized out of the body

Controlled Substance: Stimulants Symptoms of Overdose: High blood pressure Rapid heart rate Increase in body temperature/profuse sweating Agitation Confusion Seizures

Controlled Substance: Stimulants Examples Amphetamines (speed) Cocaine or Crack Methamphetamines Video Effects of Meth

Controlled Substance: Anabolic Steroids Chemical structure similar to testosterone Common in bodybuilders, weight lifters, and other athletes Affect Promotes cell and tissue growth Increases bone mass and body muscle

Controlled Substance: Anabolic Steroids Side effects Mild Acne Increased body hair or baldness Severe High blood pressure High cholesterol Impaired fertility in men Blood clots Kidney and liver cancer Heart attack

Controlled Substance: Depressants Affect The Central Nervous System (CNS) by increasing the activity of GABA GABA is a neurotransmitter that slows brain activity and causes drowsiness Relieves Anxiety and produces sleep Side Effects Slurred Speech Loss of coordination Mixing with alcohol or other drugs increases potency and health risks

Controlled Substance: Depressants Examples Barbiturates Benzodiazepines Alcohol

Controlled Substance: Depressants Alcohol All alcohols are toxic to the body Produced by fermentation of sugars, fruits, grains, and vegetables Depresses CNS Temporary Side effects Hangover Headache, Nausea, Weakness, Chronic Abuse Liver Failure or Cirrhosis Dangerous, disturbed behavior

Bacterial Toxins Tetanus or Lock Jaw Botulism Origin: Clostridium tetani bacteria Affect: Violent Muscle Spasms Botulism Origin: Clostridium Botulinum Affect: Muscle Paralysis Most poisonous biological substance Deadly in small amounts

Pesticides and Heavy Metals Lead Chronic Poisoning Mercury Arsenic Cyanide Acute Poisoning Strychnine

Bioterrorism Agents Ricin Origin: Castor Bean Dosage: Inhaled as powder or mist Ingested in food or drink injected Affect: Causes death in hours Lethal in small amounts Has been used in cancer treatments

Bioterrorism Agents Anthrax Origin: Dosage Bacillus anthracis; forms endospores Spreads from infected animals Dosage Inhalation Breathing problems resulting in death most of the time Ingestion 25-60% fatal Absorption 20% death rate in untreated cases

Drug Testing Can be done by employers, law enforcement, insurance agencies**, and coroners Procedure: Occasionally watch sample produced Measure temperature of urine Send to lab for testing

Live in moderation! Any substance including water and salt can have adverse affects on your body if abused. Video

5 Most Deadliest Substances Ricin Botulism Cyanide Strychnine Amanitin (death cap)