chapter 9 notes
Transcription
chapter 9 notes
Chapter 9 Drug Identification and Toxicology By the end of this chapter you will be able to: o o o o o Identify the five types of controlled substances Relate signs and symptoms of overdose with a specific class of drugs or toxins Describe the role of various types of toxins in causing death Discuss agents that may be used in bioterrorism Define and describe the goals and practice of toxicology All Rights Reserved South-Western / Cengage Learning © 2012, 2009 1 Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Toxicology o o Study of poisons and identification of drugs used for medicinal, recreational or criminal purposes. Exposure to toxins can occur via: • • • • 2 Ingestion Inhalation Injection Absorption Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Toxicity o o o Depends on Dose (how much) Duration (frequency and length of exposure) Nature of exposure • o 3 Ingested, inhaled or absorbed Interactions with other substances Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Forensic Toxicology Helps determine cause-and-effect relationships between o Exposure to a drug or other substance and o 4 Toxic or lethal effects from that exposure Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Introduction People can be exposed to toxic substances: o intentionally— by treating illness or relieving pain o accidentally— by harmful combinations or overdoses o deliberately— by harming or killing others, or by suicide 5 Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Poison—Murder, Accidental Overdoses, and Drug Offences 6 o Poisoning causes less than ½ of 1% of all homicides o Accidental drug overdoses are more common o Drug offenders • More than 50% of the federal prison population • About 20% of the population in state prisons Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Controlled Substances 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 7 Hallucinogens Narcotics Stimulants Anabolic steroids Depressants Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Controlled Substances —Hallucinogens o o o 8 Often derived from plants The effect and intensity of response to these drugs varies from person to person. Affects the user’s perceptions, thinking, selfawareness, and emotions Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Controlled Substances —Hallucinogens o Affects of an overdose often include • Increased heart rate • Increased blood pressure • Panic attacks, anxiety, or psychosis 9 Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Controlled Substances —Hallucinogens 10 Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Controlled Substances —Narcotics (pain killers, highly addictive) 11 Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Controlled Substances —Stimulants o o o o o 12 Increases feelings of energy and alertness Suppresses appetite Afterwards, depression often results Overdose affects include high blood pressure, agitation, confusion, seizures Stimulants tend to be highly addictive Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Controlled Substances —Stimulants 13 Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Controlled Substances —Anabolic Steroids o o o o 14 A chemical structure similar to testosterone Promote cell and tissue growth increasing bone mass and body muscle. Popular with weightlifters, bodybuilders, and other athletes Side effects include: acne, baldness, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, impaired fertility, blood clotting, liver and kidney disease/cancer, heart attacks Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Controlled Substances —Depressants o o o o o 15 Affects the central nervous system by increasing GABA activity, a neurotransmitter Increased GABA causes drowsiness and slowed brain activity Relieves anxiety and produces sleep Side effects include slurred speech and loss of coordination Mixing depressants with alcohol and other drugs increases potency and health risks Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Controlled Substances —Alcohols 16 o Alcohol is toxic o Causes dehydration o Affects brain function, sometimes permanently o Liver damage o Depresses central nervous system o Possible to die from alcohol poisoning Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Controlled Substances —Bacterial Toxins o Tetanus (also called Lockjaw) • Produced by the Clostridium tetani bacteria • Causes violent muscle spasms o Botulism • Produced by Clostridium botulinum—botulism • Paralyzes muscles • Causes irreversible damage to nerve endings • Extremely deadly in very small amounts • Most poisonous biological substance 17 Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Controlled Substances —Pesticides, Heavy Metals, and gases o o Pesticides are toxic, proper protective gear should be worn Heavy metals (arsenic, lead, mercury) accumulate in tissues and can damage organs • • • • 18 o Ingestion, inhalation, absorption Mercury: thermometers, batteries Lead: paint and pipes in older homes, some imported ceramics and canned goods Arsenic: pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, tobacco, contaminated water Carbon monoxide – car exhaust, faulty furnaces, is deadly Controlled Substances —Pesticides and Heavy Metals 19 Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Controlled Substances —Pesticides and Heavy Metals 20 Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Controlled Substances —Bioterrorism Agents Ricin o o o A poisonous protein in the castor bean Lethal in extremely small amounts Enters the body in various ways: • inhaled as a mist or a powder • ingested as food or drink • injected into the body o 21 Causes death within a few hours Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 Controlled Substances—Bioterrorism Agents Anthrax o o o Bacillus anthracis, which forms endospores Spreads to humans from infected animals Enters the human body through: • Inhalation; causing breathing problems that usually result in death • Ingestion; becoming fatal in 25% to 60% of cases • Absorption via the skin; leading to death in about 20% of untreated cases 22 Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 . . . . . . . . . Summary. . . . . . . . o o 23 Forensic toxicology seeks to identify poisons or drugs in criminals and victims. Toxicology is important in studying cases of drug overdose and sporting violations. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary. . . . o Controlled substances fall into five main groups: • • • • • 24 Hallucinogens Narcotic Stimulants Steroids Depressants Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Summary o o o 25 Poisons can be produced by living organisms. Pesticides and heavy metals are common poisons. Bioterrorism agents include ricin and anthrax. Forensic Science: Fundamentals & Investigations, Chapter 9