Accidental Overdose

Intentional Suicide Intentional Homicide

Yes, but wait 'til you taste one, dearie. Like to try one? Go on. Go on, have a bite.

Attempted Assassination

Drug Identification and Toxicology

Pick Your Poison!

Accidental Overdose

• On February 9, 2007 it was determined that tabloid celebrity Anna Nicole Smith had died from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs, rather than as the result of foul play or illegal drug use.

• How did the medical examiner know which drugs Smith had taken?

• How was it determined that the overdose was accidental rather than intentional?

• IT’S ALL ABOUT TOXICOLOGY!

What is Toxicology?

• Toxicology is the study of the affects that toxic chemicals have on the body.

• A toxicologist is originally presented with body fluids and/or organs and is normally requested to examine them for the presence of drugs and poisons.

Forensic Toxicology

• Forensic toxicology is used to aid in medical and legal investigations of poisoning, death, and drug use.

• Involved in Drug Identification

• Illegal drugs

• Prescription drugs

• Alcohol

• Poisons

• Metals

Common Chemicals, Toxins, and Poisons!

Controlled Substances• Include:

• Hallucinogens

• Narcotics

• Stimulants

• Anabolic Steroids

• Depressants

• Drugs or chemical compounds whose manufacture, distribution, possession, and use is regulated by the legal system

Signs and Symptoms

• For Homework: Count off by 5s

• Each of you will fill out ONE section of the Controlled substances signs and symptoms CHART

• Instead of Journal tomorrow you will get into your groups and present your findings to the rest of the class.

• Resources to use: Textbook, Internet, other books, etc.

How are these substances identified?

• Without supportive evidence, such as the victim’s symptoms, a postmortem pathological examination, or an examination of the victim’s personal effects, the toxicologist is forced to use general screening procedures with the hope of narrowing thousands of possibilities to one.

Common Chemical Tests

• Gas-liquid chromatography

• Immunoassay

• Thin-layer chromatography

• Spot Tests

Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s in Biology or ChemistryAfter 3 yrs. in the field American Board of Forensic Toxicology offers certification

Challenges of a Forensic Toxicologist

• A toxicologist is not dealing with drugs at the concentration levels found in powders and pills, having been dissipated and distributed throughout the body.

• Furthermore, the body is an active chemistry laboratory as few substances enter and completely leave the body in the same chemical state.

Now YOU will Try it!

URINE OVER YOUR HEAD!

LAB