DRUGS (outside you) vs. TOXICOLOGY (inside you). Importance to Forensic Science 75% of evidence being examined in forensic laboratories is drug-related

DRUGS (outside you)

vs. TOXICOLOGY

(inside you)

Importance to Forensic Science

• 75% of evidence being examined in forensic laboratories is drug-related.

Evidence from a drug bust in Hawaii, 6-26-06

Costs

To Society• $110 billion/year• Drug-related

violence and crime– 75% of males

arrested in NY tested positive for drugs

Costs

To Families• Violence and abuse

– 1/4 -1/2 domestic violence is drug related

– 81% of child abuse or neglect is drug related

• 3.2% of pregnant women use drug regularly

Costs to the BodyMeth as an example

Faces of Meth

To the individual

Multnahoma Sheriff’s Office

http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/DrugIssue/MethResources/faces/index.html

Costs




What is a “drug”

• Natural or synthetic

• Affect psychology or physiology

• Most produced legitimately for Rx

• If taken just for pleasure = “illicit drug” or “drugs of abuse”

• If taken in excess causing illness or death = poison

Drugs that are restricted by law = “Controlled Substances”

Controlled Substances Act of 1970 Lists illegal drugs, their category and

their penalty for possession, sale or use.

• Five categories of controlled drugs

Controlled Substances Categories Schedule I— high potential for abuse; no currently acceptable

medical use in the US; a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision

Schedule II— high potential for abuse; a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions; abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence

Schedule III— lower potential for abuse than the drugs in I or II; a currently accepted medical use in the US; abuse may lead to moderate physical dependence or high psychological dependence

Schedule IV— low potential for abuse relative to drugs in III; a currently accepted medical use in the US; abuse may lead to limited physical or psychological dependence relative to drugs in III

Schedule V— low potential for abuse relative to drugs in IV; currently accepted medical use in the US; abuse may lead to limited physical or psychological dependence relative to drugs in IV

Controlled Substances Examples

Schedule I — Heroin

White

Off-White

Brown


Schedule I - LSD


Schedule I - marijuana


Schedule II—cocaine

Cocaine in powder form

Crack cocaine

Cocoa leaves

Crack and powder


Schedule II - morphine

Various Forms


Schedule II - amphetamines (including methamphetamines)

Amphetamines

Methamphetamines


Schedule II - PCP


Schedule II - Ritalin


Schedule III—intermediate acting barbiturates


Schedule III - anabolic steroids


Schedule III - ketamine


Schedule IV—other stimulants and depressants including Valium, Xanan, Librium


Schedule IV - phenobarbital


Schedule IV - Darvon


Schedule V—codeine found in low doses in cough medicines

Cough syrup with DMX

DXM is a synthetically produced substance that is chemically related to codeine, though it is not an opiate.

Classification- based on pharmacological effects

Hallucinogens

Mostly naturally occurring

Marijuana most widely used – decreases ability to concentrate, slows reactions, impairs coordination.


Hallucinogens

LSD – from fungus Ergot- extremely dangerous. Causes psychosis, falshbacks, impaired memory & attention span. Possible teratogen.


Hallucinogens

MDMA – Or “ectasy” (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is synthetic. Causes stimulation and hallucinations, confusion, depression, addiction, severe anxiety, paranoia – sometimes even weeks after taking. Long term brain damage.


Hallucinogens

Ketamine - (“Special K”) – legitimately used as an animal tranquilizer. A powerful hullucinogen. Causes delerum, amnisia, depression, and long-term memory difficulties.


StimulantsAct on CNS and increases

energy level while decreasing appetite and fatigue. Problems: increases anxiety, restlessness, and causes depression after it wears off.

Caffeine to amphetamines and methamphetamines.

Coacine – from leaf of cocoa plant. Used to be snorted as powder, now recrystalized “crack”. Highly addictive, causes anxiety, insomnia, weight loss, paranoia, mental deterioration.


Narcotics Analgesics (pain

relievers) Legal OTCs like aspirin Illegal ones come from

opium from poppy flower 4-21% morphine from

which heroin is made highly addictive. Overdoses cause death


Depressants Alcohol

$40 billion industry in USA Not a controlled substance

Barbiturates (“downers”) Highly addictive Withdrawal is dangerous Small dose Rx used to

reduce anxiety and help sleep Quaaludes

More Pretty Meth Pictures






Drug Analysis

Microscopic crystaline structure

Spot Tests (use chemical indicators = presumptive precipitation test OR presumptive color test)

TLC (Thin layer chromatography)

Spectroscopy (tell by light wave absorbance)

Liquid chromatography (send liquid thorough a solid phase and see what comes out first, second, etc.)

Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy (separate in gaseous phase, then identify by mass)

The End…of ?????

Documents

DRUGS (outside you) vs. TOXICOLOGY (inside you). Importance to Forensic Science 75% of evidence being examined in forensic laboratories is drug-related