Questions and Answers
Who is the father of forensic toxicology?
Mathieu Orfila
What is the difference between a toxicologist and a forensic toxicologist?
A toxicologist's job is to detect drugs and poisons in the body while a forensic toxicologist does the same thing while also relating it back to criminal law.
What is the primary duty of a forensic toxicologist?
To detect and identify drugs and poisons in body fluids, tissues, and organs in the body in violation of criminal law.
What is the most widely abused drug in Western countries?
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What are the requirements of a suitable test for alcohol intoxication?
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List three factors that determine the rate at which alcohol is absorbed in the bloodstream.
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Name the process by which most alcohol is eliminated from the body.
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What are the 2 products from the reaction in oxidation?
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What is the key to the accuracy of a breath tester?
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Describe 2 steps the operator takes to ensure that alveolar breath is captured.
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What is a divided attention task?
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What does the walk and turn task require?
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What does the one leg stand task require?
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What is horizontal-gaze nystagmus?
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List 2 significant challenges a forensic toxicologist faces when attempting to identify drugs present in a body.
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What bodily fluids should be collected from any suspected drug user?
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What 3 drugs account for 90% or more of the drugs encountered in a typical toxicology lab?
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What are acids?
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What are bases?
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Which drugs are classified as acids?
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Which drugs are classified as bases?
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How is the remaining alcohol eliminated from the body?
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Why is a blood test for alcohol taken shortly after drinking more advantageous for the suspect?
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What 2 substances are typically added to blood before it is sent to a toxicology lab?
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Why is it best to collect blood samples from different body sites for postmortem blood-alcohol determination?
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At what blood-alcohol level is a typical driver in the US considered legally intoxicated?
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At what blood level is a commercial truck or bus driver in the US considered legally intoxicated?
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At what blood level is one legally intoxicated in Sweden?
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At what blood level is one legally intoxicated in France?
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Study Notes
Forensic Toxicology Overview
- Father of forensic toxicology is Mathieu Orfila.
- Toxicologists detect substances in the body; forensic toxicologists also relate findings to criminal law.
- Primary duty of a forensic toxicologist is to identify drugs and poisons in biological samples related to criminal violations.
Alcohol Abuse and Testing
- Alcohol is the most widely abused drug in Western countries.
- Suitable alcohol intoxication tests must provide reliable legal evidence and safely assess many individuals.
Factors Influencing Alcohol Absorption
- Rate of alcohol absorption is influenced by:
- Time taken to consume the drink.
- Alcohol content of the beverage.
- Quantity of alcohol consumed.
Alcohol Elimination Process
- Most alcohol is eliminated through oxidation, producing carbon dioxide and water.
- Breath tester accuracy relies on capturing alcohol from alveolar breath.
Breath Testing Procedures
- To ensure accuracy in breath testing:
- Avoid measuring mouth alcohol.
- Ensure the suspect exhales for at least 6 seconds.
Divided Attention Tasks
- Divided attention tasks assess the ability to follow multiple simple instructions simultaneously.
- "Walk and turn" requires balancing while listening to instructions.
- "One leg stand" involves balancing with heels together while following instructions.
Blood Alcohol Concentration
- Horizontal-gaze nystagmus indicates blood alcohol levels; a BAC of 0.10 results in an eye jerk before moving 45 degrees.
Challenges in Toxicology
- Forensic toxicologists face challenges such as:
- Few substances retain the same chemical state during bodily processes.
- Specimens may not contain full drug concentrations.
Drug Testing Procedures
- Blood and urine are key bodily fluids to collect from suspected drug users.
- Alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine account for over 90% of substances in toxicology labs.
Acid and Base Concepts
- Acids donate H+ ions; bases accept H+ ions.
- Barbiturates are categorized as acids, while PCP, methadone, amphetamines, and cocaine are categorized as bases.
Alcohol Testing and Elimination
- Remaining alcohol is eliminated via excretion, correlating with blood concentration.
- Taking blood tests shortly after drinking is more advantageous than testing after a delay due to the settling of alcohol in the bloodstream.
Blood Sample Collection for Toxicology
- Anticoagulants and preservatives are added to blood samples to prevent clotting and microbial growth, respectively.
- Collecting blood from different body sites is critical for accurate postmortem alcohol determination to account for bacterial effects.
Legal Intoxication Levels
- Legal intoxication levels vary:
- US standard for typical drivers is 0.08 BAC.
- Commercial drivers are considered intoxicated at 0.04 BAC.
- Sweden's legal limit is 0.02 BAC; France’s is 0.05 BAC.
Metabolism Impacts
- Metabolism complicates the interpretation of alcohol testing results.
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Test your knowledge on forensic toxicology with these flashcards from Chapter 6. Learn about key figures, roles, and differences in the field. Perfect for students and professionals alike!