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Forensic Toxicology

Forensic Toxicology. - the study of the chemical and physical properties of toxic substances and their physiological effect on living organisms. Deaths Investigated by Toxicologists. Accidental Poisonings Drug Abuse Cases Suicidal Poisonings Homicidal Poisonings.

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Forensic Toxicology

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  1. Forensic Toxicology - the study of the chemical and physical properties of toxic substances and their physiological effect on living organisms

  2. Deaths Investigated by Toxicologists • Accidental Poisonings • Drug Abuse Cases • Suicidal Poisonings • Homicidal Poisonings

  3. Deaths Investigated by Toxicologists • Accidental Poisonings • Drug Abuse Cases • Suicidal Poisonings • Homicidal Poisonings

  4. Toxicological Analysis of Tissue • Collect sample of all body fluids • Collect samples from organs and tissues • A forensic toxicologist cannot simply look for the presence of a toxin or drug in a body, she must understand how the body processes these molecules • Toxicological analysis must start as soon as possible after a person’s death

  5. Toxicological Analysis of Tissue • Collect sample of all body fluids • Collect samples from organs and tissues • A forensic toxicologist cannot simply look for the presence of a toxin or drug in a body, she must understand how the body processes these molecules • Toxicological analysis must start as soon as possible after a person’s death

  6. General Classes of Poisons • Gases • Metallic Poisons • 3. Steam Volatile Poisons • 4. Non-volatile Organics • - the major category here is what is known as an alkaloid, a drug that mimics human neurotransmitters or hormones and therefore interferes with normal body chemistry • Alkaloids are derived from plants…

  7. Alkaloids • Common Examples: • Amphetamines – stimulants that provoke euphoria; these drugs mimic catecholamines in the human body (adrenaline, etc) • Cocaine – natural stimulant that acts as a mimic to catecholamines; metabolites are detected in urine for as many as 3 days • Opiates – depressants that reduce muscle activity, heartbeat, respiration, and the inclination to sleep; effective pain relievers and euphoria producing; opiates mimic endorphins in the human body • Cannabinoids – fast acting plant alkaloid; body mimic is unknown; metabolites can be detected in urine for months

  8. Alkaloids amphetamine adrenaline cocaine serotonin ecstasy

  9. Methods of Detection • Color test • 2. Chromatography • a. thin-layer chromatography (TLC) • b. gas chromatography (GC) • c. high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) • 3. Spectroscopy • a. UV light d. X-ray • b. visible light e. infrared • c. microwave

  10. Methods of Detection • Color test • Chromatography • a. thin-layer chromatography (TLC) • b. gas chromatography (GC) • c. high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) • 3. Spectroscopy • a. UV light d. X-ray • b. visible light e. infrared • c. microwave

  11. Methods of Detection • Color test • 2. Chromatography • a. thin-layer chromatography (TLC) • b. gas chromatography (GC) • c. high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) • 3. Spectroscopy • a. UV light d. X-ray • b. visible light e. infrared • c. microwave

  12. Methods of Detection • Color test • 2. Chromatography • a. thin-layer chromatography (TLC) • b. gas chromatography (GC) • c. high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) • 3. Spectroscopy • a. UV light d. X-ray • b. visible light e. infrared • c. microwave

  13. Methods of Detection • Color test • Chromatography • a. thin-layer chromatography (TLC) • b. gas chromatography (GC) • c. high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) • 3. Spectroscopy • a. UV light d. X-ray • b. visible light e. infrared • c. microwave

  14. Methods of Detection • Color test • Chromatography • a. thin-layer chromatography (TLC) • b. gas chromatography (GC) • c. high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) • 3. Spectroscopy • a. UV light d. X-ray • b. visible light e. infrared • c. microwave

  15. Example UV-vis Spectrum

  16. Methods of Detection • Color test • Chromatography • a. thin-layer chromatography (TLC) • b. gas chromatography (GC) • c. high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) • 3. Spectroscopy • a. UV light d. X-ray • b. visible light e. infrared • c. microwave

  17. Example IR Spectrum

  18. Methods of Detection • 4. Mass Spectroscopy • Immunoassay

  19. Methods of Detection • 4. Mass Spectroscopy • Immunoassay

  20. Interpretation of Findings • Is a drug or poison present? What substance? • How much of the substance is present? Is it’s concentration in the body sufficient to cause death? • How was the drug/poison administered?

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