Warm Up Objective: Scientists will describe forensic toxicology by taking notes and creating a product of choice. What is the topic? What will you be doing? Why is this important? How will you know if you have done well? 1

Warm Up Objective: Scientists will describe forensic toxicology by taking notes and creating a product of choice. What is the topic? Forensic toxicology What will you be doing? Notes, product choice Why is this important? Evidence; future career choice How will you know if you have done well? Able to describe forensic toxicology; took notes/created product choice 2

Toxicology Toxicology—the study of the adverse effects of chemicals or physical agents on living organisms. Types: Environmental—air, water, soil Consumer— foods, cosmetics, drugs Medical, clinical, forensic 3

Poison vs Venom Poisons are chemicals that can injure or impair body functions. Venoms are substances injected by one species into another. Toxins are mostly described as drugs produced by microorganisms. Venoms and toxins are mostly proteins or polypeptides. Many of toxins and poisons are alkaloids (drugs of plant origin)

History of Poison Poison has been used for over 6,500 years starting with early hunters Favorite method of assassination in Roman Empire In the modern era, intentional poisoning is less common Now seen more often with Russian assassinations

Acute v Chronic Poisoning Acute- the adverse effects of a substance that result either from a single exposure or from multiple exposures in a short period of time Chronic- the long-term repeated or continuous exposure to a poison where symptoms do not occur immediately or after each exposure. The patient gradually becomes ill, or becomes ill after a long latent period

Factors Affecting Poisoning 1) Dose 2) Concentration 3) Rate of administration 4) Tolerance 5) Age 6) Route of absorption/administration 7) State 8) Health 9) Idiosyncrasy 10) Toxicity 11) Cumulative effect

Toxicology Toxic substances may: *Be a cause of death *Contribute to death *Cause impairment *Explain behavior 8

General Classes of Poisons Gases Inorganic Poisons Heavy Metals Corrosives Alkaloidal Poisons Nonalkaloidal Poisons

Carbon Monoxide Occurs when you inhale too much carbon monoxide being colorless, odorless, tasteless, it is very difficult for people to detect 1% concentration in air leads to death in 3 min

Lead Lead interferes with a variety of body processes and is toxic to many organs and tissues It interferes with the development of the nervous system and is therefore particularly toxic to children, causing potentially permanent learning and behavior disorders

Mercury Symptoms typically include sensory impairment (vision, hearing, speech), disturbed sensation and a lack of coordination Can be caused by fish ingestion Inhalation extremely dangerous

Arsenic A medical condition caused by elevated levels of As Usually from groundwater that naturally contains high concentrations As the poisoning develops, convulsions and changes in fingernail pigmentation occur

Thallium and Polonium Both Tl and Po are radioactive elements Cause radiation poisoning Marked by vomiting, nausea, hair falling out, burns, seizures, dizziness, severe pain

Cyanide very lethal Can enter by inhalation, ingestion, or direct skin contact Used for executions Damages internal workings of the cell ME will notice a BRIGHT cherry red color to the victim’s blood.

Strychnine Plant based rat poison Extremely bitter taste: hard to disguise Causes a LOT of pain: Not typical in suicides Causes convulsions Death is caused by asphyxia Rigor mortis is quick

Ricin A highly toxic, naturally occurring protein produced in the seeds of the castor oil plant A dose of a few grains can kill an adult human Poisonous if inhaled, injected, or ingested

Pesticides toxic substances released intentionally into our environment to kill living things Includes substances that kill weeds (herbicides) insects (insecticides) fungus (fungicides) rodents (rodenticides) Poisoning occurs when pesticide interferes with organisms not targeted

Common Household Items Bleach Antifreeze Drain openers Oven cleaners Pain relievers Dish soap Laundry Detergent

Fatal Poisonous Plants/Fungi Nightshade Hemlock Curare Mushrooms Oleander Yew Mistletoe

Toxicity Classification CORRELATION TO INGESTION BY 150-LB ADULT HUMAN a taste to a drop extreme to a teaspoon high to an ounce moderate to a pint slight to a quart practically nontoxic more than 1 quart relatively harmless 21

To Prove a Case Prove a crime was committed Motive Intent Access to poison Access to victim Death was homicidal Death was caused by poison 22

Product Choice Toxic Tales Write a fairy tale using a poison Poisons Project Research a case involving poisoning