LEC15 - Toxicology - Forensic Science PDF

Toxicology LEC15 – Friday November 8th Foundations in Forensic Science  Test II Monday November 11th at 1300hrs Cumulative since Test I Course Update LAB04 Entomology LAB05 Computer Forensics Napoleon Death May 5...

Toxicology LEC15 – Friday November 8th Foundations in Forensic Science  Test II Monday November 11th at 1300hrs Cumulative since Test I Course Update LAB04 Entomology LAB05 Computer Forensics Napoleon Death May 5th 1821 Cause of death: Internal bleeding caused by stomach cancer Hair collected years later Demonstrated high levels of arsenic Low exposure over time? Earlier hair collected shows the same Indicating a much longer term Present in many products during this time 2021 study by gastrointestinal pathologists Agreed with original COD Micheal Jackson Death June 25th 2009 Found dead around 1200hrs in home Previous evening Valium administered 200hrs – Lorazepam 300hrs – Midazolam Both administered again at 500hrs and 730hrs respectively 1040hrs – Propofol 1996-97 Tour Anesthesiologist R v. Fournel (2016) Cecil Fournel - Timmins 2 kids, one married Step-daughter broke off relationship Feb 25, 2009 Step-daughter’s house Fire began in the bedroom Chantal B. (DIL) safely exited home Toxicology revealed various drugs in DIL system Diphenhydramine & benzodiazepines in urine Active ingredients in Nytol R v. Fournel (2014) Innocence project took her case Prof. Alan Young Osgoode Hall Law School “This was a horribly botched investigation, a poorly prosecuted case and a poorly defended case. We believe that a miscarriage of justice did occur.” 3 Fire experts Fire investigation not done properly 4 Toxicologists Drugs were present in many others R v. Fournel (2014) continued Issues 1. “Failed to recognize that the opinion of the Office of the Fire Marshall could not support a conclusion that the firs was intentionally set” 2. “Trial judge erred in failing to apply sufficient caution to the evidence of Boudreau” R v. Fournel (2014) continued Decision “I find that Chantal Boudreau’s evidence was confirmed as follows:” Fournel poured the wine Smoked indoors Not common Lit candles to mask scent of smoke Fournel tucked Boudreau into bed She was unconscious when Fournel left Later she reported having trouble standing “The trial judge’s reasons were set out in impeccable logical detail and were responsive to the issues raised by the defence at trial. The appellants have not demonstrated why the trial judge’s findings with respect to Boudreau justify appellate intervention.” Forensic Toxicology Detection of drugs and poisons in the body Bodily fluids, tissues, and organs Most commonly urine and blood Matters that pertain to violations of criminal law Alcohol predominantly tested for Forensic Toxicology Blood Most remain for 24hrs Urine Most remain for 72hrs Hair Long timeline for ingestion May be biased by environment Metabolism Absorption Ingested and absorbed into the bloodstream very quickly Concentrates in specific areas Varies based on many factors Elimination Exhaled, excreted, oxidized Converted into acetaldehyde Concentration Blood direct measure Breath direct measure Roadside Breath Test Known as breathalyzers Administered easily through a breath test Measures 34 degree exhalation 1.1 – 1.5 liters of air Consideration of confounds Regional legal implications Validation must be made using blood Toxicological Techniques Gas Chromatography (GC-MS) Had to become volatile Used early 2000s More extensive run time (~50 mins) More sample preparation required Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy (LC-MS) Some run multiple MS Shorter run time (~14 mins) More sensitive, requiring much less volume of sample Poisons & Common Sources Heavy metals Arsenic, bismuth, antimony, mercury, thallium Rare cases Tested for using a “Reinsch” test Copper strip in HCL Carbon Monoxide Absorbed by RBCs, combines with hemoglobin Carboxyhemoglobin Spec/GC Murder occurrence before arson? Topics Covered by Interpol Quality assurance Driving under influence Surveillance in workplace Drug facilitated crimes New Psychoactive Substance Advances in technology Interpretation of toxicological results