Chapter 7 Drugs

Drugs and Forensics

Identify/test a sample to determine if it is a drug

Drug Tests

• Presumptive/Screening - possibly present• Spot or color tests

• Microcrystalline test—a reagent is added, producing a crystalline precipitate that is unique for a certain drug

• Chromatography

• Confirmatory - positively present

• Mass Spectroscopy

• Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy

Spectroscopy

the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter

Spectrophotometer—an instrument used to measure and record the absorption spectrum of a chemical substance

Mass

• Electron beam is directed at sample molecules

• Electrons break apart the sample molecules into ions

• Sorted according to their mass-to-charge ratio by an oscillating electric or magnetic field.

•Each molecular species has its own unique mass spectrum.

Infrared

• Material absorbs energy in the near-IR region of the electromagnetic spectrum

• Compares the IR light beam before and after it passes through a transparent sample

• Result—an absorption or transmittance spectrum

• Gives a unique view of the substance; like a fingerprint

Forensic Toxicologist

• Cause of death – needed for death certificates

• Clarifying death

• Impairment of drunk drivers

Forensic toxicologist

• What drug was taken?

• How much was taken?

• When was it taken?

• How did it affect the person?

Illegal v. Illicit

An illegal drug is a drug that is against the law to have, use, or distribute.

An illicit drug is a legal drug used in an inappropriate or illegal way.

Classifications

• Hallucinogens – marijuana, LSD, PCP, Ectasy

• Stimulants – cocaine, nicotine,

• Narcotics – opium, heroin, codeine, oxycodon

• Depressants – alcohol, barbiturates

Anabolic steroids

• Synthetically produced variants of male hormone testosterone

• Street names: arnolds, gym candy, roids, juice

• Cases • Operation Gear Grinder• Olympics, NCAA, Major League Baseball, NFL

OxyContin

• Prescribed pain killer

• Contains oxycodone

• Twice as potent as heroin

• Street names: kicker, oxy, oxycotton, hillbilly heroin

• Heath Ledger

LSD

• Blotter paper

• No medical purpose

• Flashbacks

• March 2003 – largest LSD lab seizure ever made

Marijuana

• Most commonly abused illicit drug

• Decreases ability to concentrate, slows reactions and impairs coordination

• 10/1/04 – 1/11/05: 1,777 Federal offenders sentenced for marijuana related charges

• In 2005: DEA seized 282,139 kg marijuana

• Medicinal marijuana

Heroin

• Highly addictive

• Processed from morphine

• No medical use

• Injected

• Pure heroin rarely sold

• Kurt Cobain, River Pheonix

Cocaine

• Oldest drugs

• Other names: crack, nose candy, blow

• Social elite

Ecstasy

• Party drug

• Operation Candy Box – one million tablets per month

• Florida – lead in seizures

Rohypnol

• Tasteless, odorless and colorless

• Date rape drug, roofies

• Sedative, muscle relaxer and amnesia

• 10x stronger than Valium

• 1 pill more intoxicating power than 6pack of beer