Chapter 9 Drug Identification and Toxicology By the end of this chapter you will be able to: Identify the five types of controlled substances Relate signs and symptoms of overdose with a specific class of drugs or toxins Describe the role of various types of toxins in causing death Discuss agents that may be used in bioterrorism Define and describe the goals and practice of toxicology All Rights Reserved South-Western / Cengage Learning © 2012, 2009 Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

Introduction Forensic toxicology – study of poison Forensic toxicology helps determine cause-and-effect relationships between exposure to a drug or other toxic/lethal substances. Controlled substance – any chemical regulated by the government. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

Introduction People can be exposed to toxic substances: intentionally— by treating illness or relieving pain accidentally— by harmful combinations or overdoses deliberately— by harming or killing others, or by suicide Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

Poison—Murder, Accidental Overdoses, and Drug Offences Poisoning causes less than 0.5% of all homicides. Drug overdoses are more common FYI- Drug offenders More than 50% of the federal prison population About 20% of the population in state prisons Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

Controlled Substances* Hallucinogens Narcotics Stimulants Anabolic steroids Depressants * controlled substance is generally a drug or chemical whose manufacture, possession, or use is regulated by a government.  Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

Controlled Substances —Hallucinogens The effect and intensity varies from person to person. Affects the user’s perceptions, thinking, self-awareness, and emotions Effects of an overdose often include Increased heart rate, blood pressure Panic attacks, anxiety, or psychosis Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

Hallucinogen (con’t) Example: LSD from fungus growing on rye. Made into a blotting paper and is injected. This is most commonly used Hallucinogen PCP (angel dust) manufactured for anesthetic, man-made. Marijuana leave (cannabis). Psilocybin (“shroom”) – injected, brewed Mescaline from cactus (peyote) MDMA (considered both hallucinogen and stimulant) – more discussed in stimulant section. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

Controlled Substances —Narcotics (or can be classified as opiate) Addictive drug acts to reduce pain by suppressing the central nervous system’s ability to relay pain messages to the brain. Affects of an overdose often include Difficulty breathing Decreased blood pressure Tiredness Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

Examples: - Opium (1st natural source from poppy plant) Heroine (made from opium), Morphine (principle component of opium), Codeine (sleep inducing/analgesic or pain relieving drug made from opium) Pain killers like Hydrocodone (vicodin, Lortab), methadone (Dolphine), oxycodone (Percocet, OxyCotin), and includes codeine containing pain reliever like Tylenol (acetaaminophen and codein). Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

Fentanyl – an opioid, 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine Fentanyl – an opioid, 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine. (transdermal patches,lollipops, intravenous injection) Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

Controlled Substances —Stimulants Stimulants are substances which increase feelings of energy and alertness while suppressing appetite. Affects of the Stimulants Afterwards, depression often results Overdose affects include high blood pressure, agitation, confusion, seizures Stimulants tend to be highly addictive ” Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

Example: Amphetamines (Ritalin, Biphetamine, Dexedrine – street names “speed”, truck driver, etc) – misused by athletes, truck drivers, and for weigh loss Cocaine (powder form) – snorted or dissolve to be injected /Crack (rock form) Methamphetamines MDMA (ecstasy or “Molly”) is man-made. MDMA stands for methylenedioxymethamphetamine and is known as “club drug. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

Controlled Substances —Anabolic Steroids A chemical structure similar to testosterone Promote cell and tissue growth increasing bone mass and body muscle. Popular with weightlifters, bodybuilders, and other athletes What are some of the negative side effects? Affects the central nervous system by increasing GABA activity, a neurotransmitter which causes drowsiness and slowed brain activity. Relieves anxiety and produces sleep Side effects include slurred speech and loss of coordination Mixing depressants with alcohol and other drugs increases potency and health risks FYI – GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

Controlled Substances —Depressant Depressants generally depress the system (not work properly) producing relaxed state or “numb” state. Alcohol: In what way are alcohols toxic? When alcohol is converted in the body, it becomes toxic (methanol formaldehyde; ethanol acetic acid) leads to liver damage How is grain alcohol produced? Fermentation of grain What are the classic symptoms of a hangover? Headache, nausea What is the effect of alcohol on the central nervous system? Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

Valium (known as downers, tranks) Rohypnol (used as date rape drug) Other examples: Valium (known as downers, tranks) Rohypnol (used as date rape drug) Barbiturates (can cause mild sedation to coma) – Sleeping Pills Propofol (marketed as Diprivan) – decreased level of consciousness. Used as anesthesia. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

Controlled Substances —Bacterial Toxins Tetanus (also called Lockjaw) Produced by the Clostridium tetani bacteria (found in soil and enters through breaks in skin – i.e. deep cuts) Causes violent muscle spasms Vaccination Possible No lab test to confirm (diagnosis through symptoms – tightening of the jaw muscle) Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

Bacterial Toxins Botulism Produced by Clostridium botulinum. Paralyzes muscles Causes irreversible damage to nerve endings Extremely deadly in very small amounts Most poisonous biological substance Botox is made also from this toxin, bolinum Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

Controlled Substances —Pesticides and Heavy Metals Pesticides – Interferes with nerve impulses. Examples: DDT, aldrin, dieldrin, methyl-bromide, phosphene Heavy metals – Lead (i.e. leaded pipes, leaded paint), Mercury (vapor – toxic, mad hatter’s top hat) Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

Controlled Substances —Pesticides and Heavy Metals Arsenic – Found in Rat Poison, no taste (Forensic Files: Bad Medicine) Cyanide (can smell like bitter almonds but cannot always tell) Tylenol Murders 1982, series of poisoning death due to drug tempering in Chicago. Killer Iceman used cyanide to lace a drink to kill his victims. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

Controlled Substances (optional) —Pesticides and Heavy Metals (pg 258) Research: http://emergency.cdc.gov/az/a.asp Find out what it is, how we are exposed, health effects, and overdose characteristics. Pesticides – Activity Heavy Metals: Lead, Mercury, Arsenic, Cyanide Others:Strychnine (solid), CO (g), HCN(g) Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

Controlled Substances—Bioterrorism Agents Anthrax Bacillus anthracis, which forms endospores Spreads to humans from infected animals Enters the human body through: Inhalation; causing breathing problems that usually result in death Ingestion; becoming fatal in 25% to 60% of cases Absorption via the skin; leading to death in about 20% of untreated cases Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9

Controlled Substances —Bioterrorism Agents Ricin A poisonous protein in the castor bean Lethal in extremely small amounts Enters the body in various ways: inhaled as a mist or a powder ingested as food or drink injected into the body Causes death within a few hours Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9