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Lecture Outline

Lecture Outline. Definition of Forensic Toxicology History Forensic Science in Canada Modernization of forensic toxicology Recent history. Forensic Toxicology. The study and practice of the application of toxicology to the purposes of the law. Quincy, M.E. (1976-1983).

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Lecture Outline

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  1. Lecture Outline • Definition of Forensic Toxicology • History • Forensic Science in Canada • Modernization of forensic toxicology • Recent history

  2. Forensic Toxicology The study and practice of the application of toxicology to the purposes of the law

  3. Quincy, M.E. (1976-1983) Jack Klugman as Quincy Robert Ito as Sam Fujiyama John S. Ragin as Dr. Robert Asten

  4. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

  5. Ancient Toxicologists Herbalists of the ancient past developed a broad knowledge of the benefits and detriments of plants, animal and insect bites and metals

  6. Ancient Toxicologists Ancient poisons discovered early • Cyanide in peach pits known to Egyptians • Hemlock a popular means of execution in Greece • Belladona of ancient Sumeria

  7. Ancient Toxicologists Dioscorides (c. 40-90 AD) described over 600 plants and plant extracts in his writings Author of De Materia Medica – On Medical Matters

  8. Foundation of Toxicology PARACELSUS (c. 1493-1541) “What is there that is not poison? All things are poison and nothing without poison. Solely the dose determines that a thing is not poison”

  9. Definition - Poison • Since poisons were typically slipped into a beverage, the term was initially applied to a drink prepared with poison and then became more broad to include all poisons, regardless of route of administration. • “ Any substance which, when ingested, inhaled absorbed or when applied to injected into or developed within the body in relatively small amounts, by its chemical action causes damage to structure or disturbance to function”

  10. Poison “Coward’s weapon” • administered by stealth • may be chronically administered • carefully planned means of murder

  11. Toxicologic Forensic Investigation • Forensic Toxicology evolved with the advent of criminal investigation • Prior to the advent of modern prescribed medicines, toxicology was primarily concerned with poisonings • Many poisoners throughout history were caught usually after failing at their poisoning attempt

  12. Arsenic • Italian woman of the 17th century, Toffana • Invented “Aqua della Toffanina” a poisonous liquid containing arsenic • Sold to would be murderers along with instructions as to its poisonous properties • Toffana reputed to have been responsible for as many as 600 killings • Executed in Naples in 1709

  13. Arsenic • “Inheritance Powder” • Odourless, tasteless and readily available • Symptoms of poisoning non-descript • Vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains • Middle Ages  Cholera • Present day  Guillian Barré Syndrome • A technique for detecting arsenic became a necessity – Marsh Test (1836)

  14. Foundation of Modern Forensic Toxicology • Understanding of Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology arise in 1800’s • Isolation of morphine from opium by Serturner in 1805 • Precipitation tests for alkaloids Winckler 1830 • Reinsch test for arsenic in 1841

  15. First Successful Toxicologic Investigation • The father of forensic toxicology • Professor Orfila (Chair of Legal Medicine at Sorbonne) • Traite des Poisons ou Toxicologie Generale (1814) – translated to English 1816 • Identified arsenic & other poisons • Evidence sent Madame LaFarge to the guillotine in 1840.

  16. Marie Lafarge • Aspiring aristocrat married to failed businessman • Murder by chronic arsenic poisoning • Arsenic-laced cake while husband away on business • Continous “pampering” with arsenic-laced truffles • Charles Lafarge diagnosed with cholera  death • Mathieu Orfila • Using technique of Marsh, detected arsenic in a pill box, a sample of eggnog and stomach and other organs of C. Lafarge

  17. Growth of Forensic Toxicology • Treatise on Poisons in Relation to Medical Jurisprudence, Physiology, and the practice of Physic-Robert Christison M.D. Edinburgh, 1829 • Manual of Practical Toxicology (condensed version by Taylor in the US) 1845

  18. Canadian Forensic Toxicology • First recorded case • Prof Henry Holmes Croft, Kings College Toronto

  19. Canadian Forensic Toxicology • analyses the stomach contents of a decedent, Sarah King which contained 11 grains of arsenic • Husband Dr. Henry King of Coburg, On is convicted due to testimony of Prof. Croft.

  20. William Hodson Ellis • 1867 – Became an assistant to Prof. Croft • 1877 – Testified in a rape-murder trial regarding the detection of blood stains on trousers • 1897 – Microscopic examination of hair • 1904 – Serological tests for blood

  21. L. Joslyn Rogers • 1908 – assistant to Ellis • Professor of Analytical Chemistry at U of T (1914-1954) • Introduced alcohol to courts in Ontario - 1932 • + expanded toxicology, fire investigations, firearms examinations • Worked at the CFS until his death in 1967

  22. William Derôme • Pathologist • Studied legal medicine in France in 1909 • In 1914, spearheaded the opening of the first forensic laboratory in all of N. America, the “Laboratoire de Recherches Médico-Légales” • Would later become the “Laboratoire de sciences judiciares et de mêdecin légale” in Montreal, PQ

  23. Forensic Pathology • In 1923 a small group of surgeons at the Old Grace Hospital in Toronto perform most of the medico-legal autopsies for the province of Ontario • Physicians include Drs. C. Noble Sharpe and E.R. Frankish • All work without remuneration

  24. Dr. E. R. Frankish • Studied under Derome • Formed the Attorney General’s Medico-Legal laboratory in Ontario in 1932 (5 staff) • This lab would later become the Centre of Forensic Sciences

  25. Forensic Toxicology in Canada • 1941 – 16 pathologists make up the regional pathologist system • 1942 – RCMP crime lab is opened in Ottawa, Ontario.

  26. H. Ward Smith • 1951 – the Attorney General’s lab in Ontario is re-organized. Smith is appointed director of the laboratory • The modern era of forensic science in Ontario begins

  27. CSFS • Canadian Society of Forensic Science (CSFS) is formed on 16 October 1953 with members from the RCMP, Health and Welfare Canada, the Montreal Lab and H. Ward Smith • Became a corporate body in 1963 with the purpose and objective of promoting the study of, raising the standards of and enhancing the stature of forensic science as a distinct discipline

  28. CSFS Participants in the October 16, 1953 meeting in OttawaL to R: L. Byrnes, G.H.W. Lucas, L. Levi. R.A.H. McKeen, B. Peclet, L.J. Rogers, B.B. Coldwell, C.G. Farmilo, J.A. Churchman, J.M. Roussel, G. Nadeau, R. McDougall, H.W. Smith, Unknown, D. Graham.

  29. Centre of Forensic Sciences • 1966 – the lab is renamed the “Centre of Forensic Sciences” • 1967 – D.M. Lucas is appointed Director of the CFS. The toxicology section is expanded to include breath testing and alcohol testing.

  30. Canadian Forensic Toxicology Mr. Doug Lucas, originally a chemist, oversaw the formation of the current Toxicology Section of CFS by combining Alcohol analysis and Drugs into one section.

  31. Canadian Forensic Toxicology • 1972, the CFS was transferred to the Ministry of the Solicitor General in order to separate the investigative aspect of justice from the administration of justice • Forensic Pathology became a separate entity within the Public Safety Division • 1975, CFS moved to its present location at 25 Grosvenor St.

  32. Canadian Forensic Toxicology

  33. Centre of Forensic Sciences • 1992 – the Centre of Forensic Sciences opens a second laboratory in Sault Ste. Marie – the “Northern Regional Lab” • Provides most of the services that CFS Toronto provides

  34. Forensic Labs in Canada • RCMP Labs • Vancouver, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Halifax • Centre of Forensic Sciences – Toronto and Sault Ste. Marie • Laboratoire de Sciences Judiciares et de Mêdecin Légale- Montreal

  35. Modernization of Toxicology • Professional societies, certification boards, advanced training of forensic scientists ensure that the role of the forensic toxicologist is more than a “coroner’s chemist” • Forensic toxicologists more frequently have advanced degrees, involved in scientific research and teaching

  36. Modernization of Toxicology High tech methods have replaced low tech methods of our past • Gas chromatography • Mass spectrometry • HPLC • ELISA • LC-MS

  37. Modernization of Toxicology • Improvements in instrumentation • Allows for the detection of smaller and smaller quantities of substances (ng) • Allows for smaller sample size (1970 – 15+ mL blood required, 2003 – 25uL IA, 0.5mL MS, 2mL GC,LC)

  38. New Challenges • Increased interest in all things forensic results in increased public scrutiny • pressure to produce results quickly, with untested methods and insufficient time • Miscarriages of justice have placed new pressure on laboratory operations and expert witnesses • Increasing role as a guardian of public health • determining drug abuse potentials, trends and dangers • e.g. PMA disguised as “Ecstasy” • e.g. Percocet abuse in the U.S.A.

  39. Notorious Forensic Tox Cases • Jonestown Massacre – November 18, 1978 • “The People’s Temple” founded by Jim Jones • Guyana, South America • 914 followers die after obeying orders to drink grape kool-aid laced with cyanide.

  40. Notorious Forensic Tox Cases • Chicago, Illinois, 1982 • Seven people collapse suddenly and die after taking Tylenol capsules • Analysis reveals the capsules were laced with cyanide • The case remains unsolved • Copy cat cases

  41. Notorious Forensic Tox Cases • 1995-2000 • Dr. Harold Shipman • Manchester, England • Convicted of murder of 15 women by lethal injection with morphine • Suspected of killing up to 265 patients

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