(FTO) Forensic Toxicology Module Overview

Forensic Toxicology Module Overview 

The drug unit in a forensic lab is charged with the task of identifying controlled substances that are seized by law enforcement officers by conducting a series of tests and observations. Similarly, the toxicology unit tests biological fluids and tissues to determine the presence and concentration of drugs, toxins and alcohol. Together these two units process a large portion of all of the evidence that passes through a crime lab. It is important for a Forensic Investigator to understand how the most common drugs affect the body and the significance of those drugs in an autopsy finding. Also, it is important that an investigator be familiar with the methods in which these drugs are typically used so that no pieces of evidence, such as paraphernalia of drug use, are missed.

Essential Questions

    1. What is the role of the toxicologist in a forensic investigation?
    2. How are drugs analyzed in a forensic laboratory and what do the results mean?
    3. What laws govern the use and distribution of drugs?
    4. How is alcohol metabolized in the body?
    5. What is the legal limit of alcohol?
    6. What are the classifications and names of the drugs most commonly abused?

Key Terms

  1. Drug - A chemical substance that affects the processes of the mind or body.
  2. Prescription Drug - A drug that can be dispensed to the public only with an order given by a properly authorized person. The designation of a medication as a prescription drug is made by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
  3. Over the Counter Drug - Also known as "OTC", these medicines are sold directly to a consumer without a prescription from a healthcare professional.
  4. Illicit Drug - A drug whose production or use is prohibited or strictly controlled via prescription.
  5. Neurotransmitter - A chemical substance, such as acetylcholine or dopamine, that transmits nerve impulses across a synapse.
  6. Depressant - An agent that retards any function, especially a drug that acts on the central nervous system, to depress activity at all levels by stabilizing neuronal membranes. Central nervous system depressants, such as barbiturates and inhalational anesthetics, are used as sedatives, hypnotics, and anesthetics. Alcohol is also a depressant, although its first effect is sometimes stimulating.
  7. Toxicology - The scientific study of poisons, of their effects and detection, and of the treatment of poisoning.
  8. Alcohol - A colorless volatile flammable liquid that is the intoxicating constituent of wine, beer, spirits, and other drinks, and is also used as an industrial solvent and as fuel.
  9. Barbiturates - Any of a group of barbituric acid derivatives that act as central nervous system depressants and are used as sedatives or hypnotics.
  10. Benzodiazepines - Depressants that help relieve nervousness, tension, and other symptoms by slowing the central nervous system.
  11. Inhalants - Inhalants are volatile substances that produce chemical vapors that can be inhaled to induce a psychoactive, or mind-altering, effect. Although other abused substances can be inhaled, the term "inhalants" is used to describe a variety of substances whose main common characteristic is that they are rarely, if ever, taken by any route other than inhalation.
  12. Hallucinogen - A substance that causes excitation of the central nervous system, characterized by hallucination, mood change, anxiety, sensory distortion, delusion, and depersonalization increased pulse, temperature, and blood pressure and dilation of the pupils. The ingestion of hallucinogenic substances may cause psychic dependence and depressive or suicidal psychotic states.
  13. Marijuana - Often called pot, grass, reefer, weed, herb, Mary Jane, or MJ, is a greenish-gray mixture of the dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of Cannabis sativa; the hemp plant. The main psychoactive (mind-altering) chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Marijuana is a hallucinogen and is the most abused illicit drug in the US.
  14. Hashish - A purified resin prepared from the flowering tops of the female cannabis plant and smoked or chewed as a narcotic or an intoxicant.
  15. LSD - A crystalline compound, C20H25N3O, derived from lysergic acid and used as a powerful hallucinogenic drug. Also called "Acid".
  16. Psilocybin - A hallucinogenic compound, C12H17N2O4P, obtained from the mushroom Psilocybe mexicana.
  17. Peyote - A spineless, dome-shaped cactus (Lophophora williamsii) native to Mexico and the southwest United States, having buttonlike tubercles that are chewed fresh or dry as a narcotic drug by certain Native American peoples.  Also called "Mescal".
  18. PCP - A synthetic drug sold as tablets, capsules, or white or colored powder. It can be snorted, smoked, or eaten. Developed in the 1950s as an IV anesthetic, PCP was never approved for human use because of problems during clinical studies, including intensely negative psychological effects. The full name of PCP is Phenylcyclohexylpiperidine (Phencyclidine). It is a depressant drug used illegally as a hallucinogen. It is also known as "Angel Dust".
  19. Stimulant - An agent, especially a drug, that causes increased activity, especially of the nervous or cardiovascular systems. Caffeine is a commonly used stimulant.
  20. Narcotic - Any of a group of highly addictive analgesic drugs derived from opium or opiumlike compounds. Narcotics can cause drowsiness and significant alterations of mood and behavior.
  21. Anabolic Steroids - A group of synthetic hormones that promote the storage of protein and the growth of tissue, sometimes used by athletes to increase muscle size and strength.
  22. Club Drugs - A controlled substance that is usually taken by young people at dance clubs and raves.
  23. Biological Toxin - Exposure to certain biological agents, such as certain bacteria, fungi, protozoa, plants, reptiles, amphibians, fish, urchins, starfish, mollusks, and insects which results in illness or death.
  24. Bioterrorism - The use of biological agents, such as pathogenic organisms or agricultural pests, for terrorist purposes.

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