VII.+Toxicology



__ **Toxicology** __ There are many types of illegal and legal drugs which people can get their hands on easily. 1) Narcotics - 2) Hallucinogens - 3) Depressants - 4) Stimulants - 5) Club Drugs - 6) Anabolic Steroids -
 * Narcotics are usually drugs that relieve pain and induce sleep.
 * Opiates are put under the narcotics category of drugs.
 * Analgesics are also considered narcotics due to the fact that they relieve pain by slowing down the central nervous system - an example being heroin.
 * Many narcotic drugs are not derived directly from opium but have similar effects as opium and thus are called opiates - a popular example is methadone.
 * These types of drugs alter thought processes, moods and perceptions.
 * The most popular hallucinogen is marijuana.
 * Marijuana is a cannabis plant that contains tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC which is the chemical responsible for the different effects marijuana users experience.
 * Marijuana effects vary depending on how much is consumed, the method in which it is consumed and also depends on which part of the plant is consumed because some parts may contain more THC than others.
 * Marijuana users often experience relaxation, uncontrollable laughter, cravings and excessive hunger.
 * Sometimes it is even recognizable to others that the person is high off marijuana because movements may be slowed down, and their eyes may appear to be very red and bloodshot.
 * Marijuana is one of the drugs that does not cause physical dependence but users can develop a psychological dependence for it.
 * Other examples of hallucinogens include LSD.
 * These drugs slow the central nervous system down.
 * The most common depressant is alcohol.
 * Alcohol enters the bloodstream and travels to the brain fairly rapidly and disinhibit’s the brains thought processes and muscle coordination.
 * As a result, the drinker becomes more expressive and gains confidence.
 * If too much alcohol is consumed the individual may black out and not recall events from the previous night or may become unconscious.
 * The effects of alcohol depend on how much is consumed, where it is consumed, and how much alcohol a person can tolerate which can depend on their height and weight.
 * Barbiturates are also known as “downers” because they induce sleep, relax the individual and create a feeling of well being.
 * Often used medically and taken orally.
 * Antipsychotic and ant anxiety drugs are also depressants which do not cause sleepiness but provide relaxation.
 * Examples include reserpine and chlorpromazine, often used for mental patients.
 * These drugs stimulate and speed up the central nervous system.
 * Amphetamines are synthetic stimulants which are commonly referred to as “speed” or “uppers”.
 * Usually taken orally or injected and result in alertness which is followed by loss of appetite and fatigue.
 * Once the drug wears off it can result in depression for days or weeks.
 * Cocaine is another stimulant which can be sniffed or snorted.
 * Cocaine provides alertness but often results in hunger, fatigue and boredom.
 * Feeling of euphoria occur in the brain.
 * Chronic use of cocaine can cause severe damage sometimes even leading to deaths due to cardiac arrests or seizures.
 * These drugs are often used at clubs, bars, raves hence the name “club drugs”
 * Examples of these club drugs include Ecstasy, Rohypnol (Roofies) and methamphetamine.
 * Rohypnol is often called the date rape drug because once ingested the user does not have an account of what happens after the drug has been taken.
 * Ecstasy results in feelings of happiness, excitement and relaxation but can cause serious brain damage if used chronically.
 * Used to promote muscle growth, often used by males.
 * Synthetic compounds which are chemically related to the male hormone.
 * Abuse of steroids is a common problem in professional sports.
 * Negative effects of steroid use include liver cancer or other liver malfunctions.
 * Infertility and the development of more masculine features can occur if females take steroids.
 * Depression is often related to the use of steroids and can cause alterations to moods and personality.

Chloral Hydrate
 * Clifford Olson used this drug with his victims.
 * Chloral Hydrate is also known as “knockout drops” or “Mickey Finn”
 * It usually is effective immediately after ingestion.
 * It is one of the oldest sleep inducing sleeps and will work for about an hour.
 * Chronic use of this drug can result in liver damage and withdrawal symptoms.
 * A high dosage of this drug can cause blood pressure to lower and respiratory problems.

Collection of Drug Evidence
 * Individual evidence must be properly packaged and labelled.
 * Cross contamination must be prevented as best as possible.
 * Background information should be supplied to the drug analyst which may help with the drug’s identity.



Toxicology of Alcohol 1) Absorption - alcohol is absorbed as soon as it enters the blood steam. 2) Elimination - alcohol is eliminated from the body in 2 ways, oxidation which turns it into carbon dioxide - this occurs in the liver. The second way is through excretion through breathing and urination.
 * The consumption of alcohol occurs in three stages
 * Factors that affect the rate of absorption include, the time it takes to consume an alcoholic beverage, the type of beverage, and quantity.

Alcohol in the Circulatory System
 * Once alcohol is ingested it goes straight into the stomach, blood stream and small intestine.
 * When alcohol is received in the liver, it begins to break it down immediately.
 * Once the blood which still contains alcohol leaves the liver it is brought to the heart and is then pumped into the lungs with the pulmonary artery for oxygen.
 * When in the lungs there is an exchange between fresh air and the spent air in the blood.
 * The carbon dioxide and alcohol are emitted when a breathe is taken and the lungs are filled with new fresh air and the process is repeated.
 * The amount of alcohol present in the blood system can be determined by measuring the amount of alcohol in the blood and breath.



To confirm that drugs are within an individual’s system, a forensic investigator would conduct chromatography and mass spectrometry tests. In the case of Clifford Olson, his victims were given drugs and alcohol to subdue them, before their deaths; therefore they would still be within their system.

** Chromatography ** is a means of separating and identifying the components of a mixture, such as drugs in an individual’s body. It’s major premise is that chemical substances have a tendency to partially escape into the surrounding environment when dissolved in a liquid or when absorbed on a solid surface, which is known as the ** Moving Phase ** and the ** Stationary Phase. **  ** Gas Chromatography ** is when a sample substance is dissolved in solvent. It uses the ** Moving Phase, ** which is the carrier gas, to move the substance along the coil. As well as the ** Stationary Phase ** a thin film of liquid within the coil along with the carrier gas. A coiled glass tube is used allowing for the maximum amount of length in a smaller amount of space. Within the coil there is a separation of the substances, and at the end of the coil there is a detector that records the amounts of separated components, which is called a Chromatograph.

** Mass spectrometry ** is a technique used for measuring the molecular weight and determining the molecular formula of an organic compound. Therefore this test would allow the forensic investigator to determine the type of drug used on the victim. The Mass Spectrometer separates components by using a beam of high-energy electrons, which produces ions that are unstable with excess energy. With the decomposition of ions, which are called the “Fingerprint” of test substances, electric or magnetic fields separate fragments based on their molecular mass.

To test a victim for alcohol in their system, a forensic investigator would conduct an analysis of their blood, by collecting 10 mL of blood in airtight container and adding an anticoagulant, and preservative. Then they would subject the blood to a ** Gas Chromatography ** test, which is described in full above.