Unit 9

The increase in GABA in the body results in...

drowsiness and slowed brain activity

What is a chemical that affects the processes of the body or mind?

drug

What unit in the forensic lab is tasked with testing and identifying controlled substances seized by law enforcement officers?

drug

What is an addiction to drugs, or the inability to stop using harmful substances despite the problems they cause?

drug dependence

Why would a forensic chemist expect to see amphetamine in a toxicology report if the user was arrested for the possession and use of methamphetamine?

drugs break down into different substances when metabolized by the body?

What primary color spot test turns purple in the presence of marijuana?

duquenois-levine

Why should a drug lab analyze a suspected rug if it is obvious to a trained personnel as to what the drug is?

evidence of either drugs or harmless substances must be presented in court

T or F: Spot tests don't destroy samples so it is okay to use it on a very small sample.

false

A ___ ___ processes drugs and drug paraphernalia to determine whether or not a drug is present in an evidence sample.

forensic chemist

What are chemists looking for it presumptive tests?

functional groups such as alcohols, esters, and acids

Almost all depressants act on the central nervous system and increase the activity of a neurotransmitter called ___-___ ___

gamma-aminobutyric acid (gaba)

What is the most accurate and commonly used confirmatory test?

gas chromatography with mass spectrometry

What instrument does lab use for gas chromatography?

gc-ms

What drug (Gamma Hydroxybutyrate), is a drug used to treat Narcolepsy? It works by affecting the quantity of neurotransmitter in the brain known as GABA. When the drug was first approved for treatment in Narcolepsy, it was with extensive restrictions to only be used in patients with documented Narcolepsy who registered on a registry with the FDA. It is odorless, tasteless and colorless when placed in a beverage, which accounts for the ease with which they are used in sexual assaults. The drug sedates the victim to a degree such that they are physically unable to resist unwanted advances. It can cause seizures, coma and death. The effects of this drug are intensified when combined with alcohol.

ghb

Drugs and toxins can be rapidly metabolized and absent in blood and urine samples, toxins tend to linger in both ___ and ___ ___ samples for longer periods.

hair; vitreous humor

Which class of drug has symptoms of overdose that can include increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, panic attacks, anxiety, and psychosis? When they are combined with other drugs such as alcohol, an overdose may include seizures, coma, and death.

hallucinogens

___ are a powerful class of drugs which cause excitation of the CNS characterized by hallucination, mood change, anxiety, sensory distortion, delusion, and dissociation from one's self or sense of awareness. These drugs are quite dangerous, not only physically but psychologically due to the mood altering effects. Often the rapid sensation changes associated with these are paranoia, panic, or traumatization. They have a chemical structure similar to that of neurotransmitter transmitters found in the human body. Most often, they are derived from plants or mushrooms and have a long history being used by people during various religious ceremonies.

hallucinogens

What is a purified resin prepared from the flower tops of the female cannabis plant and smoked or chewed as a narcotic or intoxicant? It is a more potent form of THC than marijuana and is usually sold in blocks or cakes. It results in a lack of coordination and energy as typically seen in marijuana use.

hashish

What renders a person unable to process hormones and toxins in the body and is often fatal without a liver transplant?

cirrhosis

Known as OTC, these medicines are sold directly to a consumer without prior authorization by a healthcare professional.

over the counter drugs

___% of the work forensic chemists do is drug related.

70

What instrument does a lab use to differentiate between cocaine salt and cocaine base (aka crack and cocaine)?

FTIR

What drug, also known as Ecstasy or Molly, is a synthetic drug that has effects similar to the stimulant properties of Amphetamines and the hallucinogenic properties of Mescaline? To clarify, it is actually the pure crystalline form from which Ecstasy is manufactured. Ecstasy often contains other drugs or substances in addition to small amounts of it. The nickname "Molly" refers to the pure crystalline form of it; Molly is actually short for "Molecular". Ecstasy and ___ are usually taken orally in pill or capsule form and the effects last from 3-6 hours. It increases the levels of three neurotransmitters in the body; Serotonin, Dopamine, and Norepinephrine. A surge in the amount of Serotonin and Dopamine in the body is the reason that the users typically report feeling "happy", "in love" and more empathetic to those around them. As the drug wears off, users typically have depleted Serotonin levels which cause confusion, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and depression. These effects can last for weeks after the last dose and increase the risk of suicide in users. The degree to which it is addictive can most likely be linked back to the effects of this Serotonin depletion. The levels of Dopamine and Serotonin in the brain are directly linked to the health effects of it and other drugs. Some studies have shown that it is at least somewhat addicting and most likely very addictive in certain situations in both animal trials and in reported human experiences. It can cause dangerous side effects in the body such as increases in heart rate and difficulty or impairment in the body's ability to regulate body temperature. The body may have a sharp increase in temperature, known as Hyperthermia, which can result in death.

MDMA

What drug is also used as an industrial solvent as fuel, affects the CNS, slows down the body's reaction time, abuse of it over extended amounts of time risks severe liver damage known as cirrhosis, affects the frontal lobe first and then moves toward the back of the brain as more of it consumed, and can cause cardiopulmonary arrest?

alcohol

What drug is the most likely to cause harm to others?

alcohol

What is the most commonly abused drug?

alcohol

What are were medically developed to treat sleep disorders and asthma. ___ are much more potent and addictive than amphetamines and require a prescription. They are taken orally, smoked, snorted, or dissolved in liquid and injected. They can cause a rapid "euphoria" feeling followed by a subsequent "crash". Eventually, the user requires higher dosages of the drug to attain the same level of induced euphoria at the next time of use. This euphoria experienced by users is caused by a flood of the neurotransmitter known as Dopamine in the brain. Dopamine affects the centers of the brain related to motivation, pleasure, reward and motor function. It is highly addictive because the user is constantly seeking the feeling of euphoria they originally had with the first use. As with some of the other drugs discussed, it can cause panic, paranoia, and delusions. The sores found on the skin of users can be side effects of the drug usage compounded by a common side effect of the use which is the feeling of insects crawling under the skin. The street names are crank, ice, crystal meth, glass, stove top, and chalk.

amphetamines; methamphetamines

What type of drug promotes cell and tissue growth increasing bone mass and body muscle? They are sometimes prescribed for medical indications such as delayed male puberty or loss of muscle mass due to AIDS or cancer, but they are also abused by bodybuilders and athletes in an attempt to build larger muscle mass. Typically they are taken orally, injected into the muscle or applied as a cream or gel to the skin. These drugs do not affect the brain in the same way that other illicit drugs do by impacting the Dopamine neurotransmitters. Because of this, there typically is no euphoric "high". Over time, however, the brain is affected in other ways which trigger aggressiveness colloquially known as "Roid Rage" and violent mood swings. Paranoia, irritability, delusions and impaired judgment are also typical of one who is abusing this drug. Even though they do not produce the same type of euphoria as other drugs, they are still considered addictive. Consistent users often go through withdrawal just as users of other drugs do. Of great risk during the time of withdrawal from this drug is depression and suicide. Other long term health effects include liver and kidney damage, enlargement of the heart, heart attack, stroke, testicular shrinkage, Gynecomastia (development of enlarged breast tissue in males) and increased risk for prostate cancer just to name a few. It is important to note that women have also used these drugs and have side effects such as facial hair growth, cessation of menstruation, male pattern baldness and deepened voice.

anabolic steroids

What is a group of barbituric acid derivatives that act as CNS depressants and are used as sedatives or hypnotics? They are synthetic depressants and are used for a variety of purposes including to prevent seizures. Examples of barbiturates include Phenobarbitol and Secobaritol.

barbiturates

What is the class of drugs that act as tranquilizers? They help relieve nervousness, tension, and other symptoms by slowing the CNS. Common examples of these include Valium, Xanax, and Librium.

benzodiazepines

If enough alcohol is consumed, the brain stem will eventually be affected which can result in ___ ___ where the heart and lungs stop and leads to death.

cardiopulmonary arrest

What are the steps for drug analysis in a lab?

check the seal, indicate the form of substance (powder, marijuana, or tablet?), take the net weight, do a presumptive test, and do a confirmatory test

What class of drugs known as "___ ___" refers to synthetic drugs that are used by mostly young people in nightclubs, bars, and raves? Examples of these include Ecstasy, GHB, and Rohypnol. They are also sometimes referred to as "date rape drugs" because of their association with an unsuspecting victim consuming a drink with the drug and subsequently being sexually assaulted while incapacitated. When these drugs are combined with alcohol, the person can become drowsy or dizzy and experience memory loss and blackouts. They can result in severe medical side effects, seizures, coma and death. The street names are MDMA, Molly, Hug Drug, Disco Biscuit, X, and Roofie.

club drugs

What is one of the most powerful, naturally occurring drugs known to exist is...

cocaine

What is derived from the Erythroxylon coca plant? It is produced from the leaves of this bush which grows in the higher elevations in Peru and Bolivia. It is a powder that is typically snorted or dissolved in water and injected into the body. ___ is a hard, rock like form of cocaine that is smoked. It is called that because of the crackling sound it makes when it is heated or smoked. Interestingly, it has been used for more than a thousand years in one form or another. It was used by the indigenous people of South America for hundreds of years; they chewed the leaves of the Coca plant sometimes along with tobacco leaves. It was later sold over the counter in the United States in the 1800's and early 1900's to treat a host of maladies such as toothaches in children! It is still used in very restricted circumstances in the medical field such as a numbing agent in eye or nose surgery. The street names are blow, nose candy, snowball, and tornado.

cocaine; crack

What is a synthetic variant of Morphine and is commonly used in medicine today? It is the most widely used opioid for medical treatment of mild to moderate pain and cough suppression. It is not as strong as morphine and runs less risk of respiratory arrest. For treatment of pain, it is often combined with aspirin or acetaminophen and taken orally in tablet form. For treatment of persistent cough, it is generally combined with OTC cough syrup ingredients such as Guaifenesin or Promethazine. It is effective on coughs because it acts directly on the area of the brain associated with coughing. While considered somewhat less addictive than Morphine, it is still a significant drug of abuse due to its availability. Because it is often prescribed by physicians as a first line of pain relief or cough suppression, addicts quickly learn which symptoms to present to a physician in order to obtain a prescription for it. Addicts will also often visit more than one medical facility in search of the medication. Many have died from partaking of cough syrup, ___, and jolly ranchers due to the amounts of cough syrup typically added to the cocktail. Amounts up to 25 times the prescribed dosage of this medication are added to the drink which results in suppression of the CNS. Hydrocodone is a drug derived from it. It is the active ingredient in the common prescription pain medications, Lortab and Vicodin. Hydrocodone is also a drug of abuse and has some potential for addiction, though it is not as strong as ___ or Oxycodone. Oxycodone, known in various formulations by names like Oxycontin and Percocet, is a strong opioid drug synthesized from Opium. Oxycontin used to treat moderate to severe pain is prescribed because of its long-lasting pain relief properties due to the timed-release nature of the product. Percocet is a combination of Oxycodone and Tylenol; it is a common narcotic used during surgery recovery. In recent years Oxycodone has quickly become a drug of abuse. When abused, these drugs have the same dangers of severe respiratory suppression that can lead to death.

codeine

What identifies a specific substance and includes spectroscopic tests?

confirmation tests

CSA

controlled substances act

The ___ was signed into law by President Nixon in 1970 to serve as the legal foundation of the Government's fight against the abuse of drugs and other substances. It's a consolidation of numerous laws regulating the manufacture and distribution of narcotics, stimulants, depressants, and hallucinogens. It places all substances into one of five groups called schedules based on the medical use of the substance, potential for abuse, and potential for psychological and physical dependence.

csa

What is an agent that retards any function? Typically they impact the central nervous system and cause changes in the nervous system and specifically on the neurotransmitters.

depressant

What are the six classes of drugs?

depressants, hallucinogens, stimulants, narcotics, steroids, and club drugs

Overuse of ___ can cause shallow reparations, weak rapid pulse, respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, coma, and death. When this happens, it is called a...

depressants; overdose

What primary color spot test turns violet-blue in the presence of most barbiturates?

dillie-koppanyi

What drug is an illegal, highly addictive opioid derived from the Opium Poppy plant? Opium and this drug were popular drugs in the 1800s and were actually sold to the general public without prescription for various conditions including "female problems such as cramps from menstruation. When it was first developed, it was billed as a treatment or aid for Morphine addicts. Morphine addicts were actually mailed samples of a less pure form of it to try so that they could get past their Morphine addiction. Today, a more pure form of it is supplied as a white or brown colored powder or a black, tacky substance known as "Black Tar Heroin". It can be injected, snorted, or smoked. Because it is most often injected, it's use poses an additional concern that users may share needles and may, therefore, be at greater risk of certain diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis. It's users are very susceptible to becoming addicted, which in turn leads to chronic and uncontrollable drug-seeking behaviors without regard to the consequences. The street names are smack, thunder, big h, and nose drops. Once in the body, it quickly converts to Morphine and connects to the Opioid receptors in the brain. These receptors are found throughout the body but are most affected by it in the areas involved with pain and reward in the brain. In addition, the receptors can be affected in the brain stem in areas involving the body's automatic processes such as heart rate and breathing. If these areas are impacted, as in the case of a ___ overdose, the heart may stop (cardiac arrest) and the user may quit breathing (pulmonary arrest) leading to death.

heroin

What drug is the most likely to cause harm to the user?

heroin

What is the kind of depressants induce sleep?

hypnotics

What are the three general categories of depressants?

hypnotics, sedatives, and tranquilizers

An ___ drug is a drug that is manufactured and/or distributed illegally.

illicit

What is a common testing procedure where the concentration of a substance in a liquid is measured using the reaction of an antibody to the antigen (the drug)?

immunoassay

What test is used as the first step screening test and should be followed up using a confirmatory testing method in order for it to be admissible in court?

immunoassay

What are volatile substances that produce chemical vapors that can be breathed in to induce a psychoactive, or mind-altering, effect? It is used to describe drugs that are rarely taken any other route than being breathed in. Users typically take in the fumes which induces a brief state of euphoria followed by drowsiness or unconsciousness. Examples of this include model cement, glue, paint, paint thinner, and gasoline. The street names are poppers, huff, whippets, and spray.

inhalents

What is a powerful mind-altering chemical that produces images, sounds, and sensations that seem real but do not actually exist? It is considered to be one of the most powerful mind-altering substances and was discovered in 1939 by crystalline compounds found in a fungus growing on rye bread. The compound, C2OH25N30 is derived from lysergic acid. The effect or "trip" is long-lasting and may last for twelve hours. The street names are acid, dots, mellow yellow, and trips.

lsd

What drug is a greenish-gray mixture of the dried shredded leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the Cannabis sativa plant? The main psychoactive chemical in it is delta-9tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The street names are grass, pot, weed, bud, mary jane, endo, and hydro.

marijuana

What is the most commonly used illicit drug in the US?

marijuana

___ is the second leading cause of car accidents due to impaired driving; second only to ___.

marijuana; alcohol

What primary color spot test turns purple in the presence of an opium derivative and orange-brown in the presence of amphetamines/methamphetamines?

marquis

What are the five primary color spot tests?

marquis, dillie-koppanyi, duquenois-levine, van urk, and scott test

During ___, a substance enters the body in one form and likely exits in a different form.

metabolism

What are generated as a result of the introduction of chemicals to the body?

metabolites

What drug is not chemically related to morphine or heroin, it produces many of the same effects and blocks the receptors that Heroin and Morphine typically affect? It is commonly used to treat Heroin addiction when combined with drug treatment. "___ Clinics" dispense one pill every 24 hours to registered recovering addicts enrolled in drug treatment programs. The addict must return each day to obtain their daily dose due to the fear that the person may try to take more than the intended dose if given a multi-day prescription. Unfortunately, the use can also result in tolerance and has actually caused several deaths due to illegal use and overdose.

methadone

___ examination involve the observation of crystalline structures that can be highly characteristic of certain drugs such a cocaine.

microcrystalline

What is a medication derived from Opium of the Opium Poppy plant. While it is a prescribed medication, it is sometimes abused and used in ways in which it is not intended. It is one of the most effective pain medications available for moderate to severe pain. It is commonly used for pain induced by a heart attack or in cases of severe and terminal illness such as cancer, as well as many other ailments. The abuse of it has increased significantly because of its chronic use in pain management. The reason that the abuse is so dangerous is that it is highly addictive and tolerance for the drug builds rapidly. Over time it takes more of it to have the same effect on the body. This is especially dangerous because it can significantly suppress breathing; overdoses can easily become fatal due to the effect on the respiratory system.

morphine

___ examinations involve observing the structure of substances such as botanical features to potentially identify certain substances such as marijuana.

morphology

What are the two types of microscopic observations?

morphology and microcrystalline

Symptoms of a ___ overdose include slow, shallow breathing, pinpoint pupils, convulsions, coma, and death. If proper treatment is sought rapidly, some effects of an impending the overdose can be stopped and the person may be able to be revived. The drug Naloxone is used to reverse the effects of opioid drugs on the body and has been successful in the treatment of some opioid addictions as well. Some caregivers are given doses of Naloxone to keep on hand in case an addicted loved one accidentally overdoses on an opiate. According to the CDC, this practice has saved thousands of lives of those who would have died had they not had Naloxone available at home to reverse the overdose.

narcotic

What class of drugs is often used as a generic term for all drugs? However, it is technically a drug that is derived from Opium. Opium is harvested from Poppy plants and is a common ingredient in many prescription analgesics.

narcotics

What is a biological chemical that carries messages from the brain to control crucial processes in the body such as breathing, sleeping, and heart rate?

neurotransmitter

What is a dissociative drug that can severely distort a person's perception and produce a feeling of detachment from the environment or even oneself? It is a synthetic drug sold as tablets, capsules, or as powder. Developed in the 1950s as an IV anesthetic, it was never approved for human use because of problems during clinical studies, including intensely negative psychological effects. The full name is Phenylcyclohexlpiperidine. The active ingredient, Phencyclidine, is an opiate derivative. It is a depressant drug used illegally as a hallucinogen. The effects of it typically last 4-6 hours and the street name is angel dust.

pcp

What comes from a small and spineless cactus and is and found in the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico? It is the source of Mescaline, which is a psychotropic hallucinogen that has been used by Native Americans in religious ceremonies. The drug is used by making a tea or liquid of the crown of the cactus and consuming it. The effect of this drug is long-lasting and may not end for 12 hours. It is also known as "Mescal".

peyote

What is the physiological need for a drug that has been brought about by its regular use?

physical dependence

What drug is the compound C12H17N2O4P and is obtained from the mushroom Psilocybe mexicana? They are sometimes called, "magic mushrooms" and the effects typically begin about 20 minutes after ingestion. The effects may last up to 6 hours.

psilocybin

What are the two types of drug dependence?

psychological and physical

What is the conditioned use of a drug caused by underlying emotional needs?

psychological dependence

What is a benzodiazepine drug which is similar in chemical structure to Valium and Xanax. It was developed as a sedative, but is not approved for use in the United States and its importation is banned. Like GHB, it is odorless, tasteless and colorless when placed in a beverage. It is also used to incapacitate victims of sexual assault as with GHB. ___ in particular is known for causing some degree of amnesia after administration. When mixed with alcohol, this drug's effects are intensified and may lead to overdose and death.

rohypnol

What schedule contains drugs with a high potential for severe abuse and addiction, and with no accepted medical value? These drugs are considered the most dangerous in terms of abuse and addiction. They include heroin, LSD, ecstasy, marijuana, and peyote.

schedule I

What schedule contains drugs with a high potential for abuse and addiction and have some medical value with restrictions but is strictly monitored? They include cocaine, methamphetamine, most opiates (such as morphine), methadone, fentanyl, oxycodone, adderall, and ritalin.

schedule II

What schedule contains drugs with moderate to low potential for abuse and addiction, and are currently acceptable for specific medical uses? They include some barbiturates, drugs containing less than 90mg of codeine per dose, steroids, testosterone, and vicodin.

schedule III

What schedule contains drugs with a low potential for abuse and addiction and are currently acceptable for medical use when authorized by a physician? They include valium, xanax, librium, soma, ambien, and darvocet.

schedule IV

What schedule contains drugs with low potential for abuse, routinely used in medical care, and lowest potential dependency? They include low dose codeine cough syrups (like Robitussin), lomotil, lyrica, and prepcyolin.

schedule V

What primary color spot test turns blue in the presence of cocaine?

scott test

What are the two types of tests?

screening and confirmation

___ ___ are done in the laboratory or in the field to eliminate some drugs from consideration and narrow down the possibilities.

screening tests

What is the kind of depressants have a calming or soothing effect and may induce drowsiness?

sedatives

In a lab, spot tests are often done on a ___ ___ or in a ___ ___.

spot plate; test tube

What are quick color tests that are performed by mixing samples of the presumptive drug with volatile chemicals? They can be done in the field or lab.

spot tests

What are the four types of screening tests?

spot, thin layer chromatography, gas chromatography, and immunoassay

What class of drugs are synthetic drugs that are produced in a laboratory and have a chemical structure similar to the male hormone, Testosterone? The street names are arnolds, gym candy, roids, and pumpers

steroids

What class of drug has symptoms of overdose that include dizziness, tremors, headache, fever, and high blood pressure? High doses can cause irregular breathing, seizures, stroke, and death. Cocaine is particularly dangerous when mixed with other drugs such as with Heroin to create "Speedball" as it is prone to cause the heart to stop in cardiac arrest.

stimulants

What class of drugs cause increased activity of the nervous or cardiovascular systems? Caffeine is a commonly used example. They increase feelings of energy and alertness while suppressing appetite. While there are many legal preparations of them, this category of drugs is often associated with clandestine labs such as "Meth Labs". These clandestine labs illegally produce drugs which often contain other hazardous chemicals.

stimulants

What is an example of immunoassay testing?

strep throat

A ___ must identify one of thousands of drugs and poisons in given samples.

toxicologist

What is the study of the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms including the symptoms, mechanisms, treatments, and detection of drugs and poisons?

toxicology

What unit in the forensic lab test biological fluids and tissues to determine the presence and concentration of drugs, toxins, and alcohol?

toxicology

The metabolites act as ___ for the frug and can be used to reliably indicate that a person has used the drug.

tracers

What is the kind of depressants reduce tension and anxiety?

tranquilizers

T or F: Spot test do not confirm the presence of a particular drug, but why are a good indicator for the absence of a drug and a starting point for further investigation.

true

What is the protocol for collection and preservation of drug evidence?

urine and blood samples are typically collected in clean containers designated for these specific purposes, if the evidence involves plant materials, investigators will photograph the plant evidence and allow it to dry before packaging to avoid mold growth, items of drug paraphernalia are packaged according to their type of material, drug samples are generally placed in clean, airtight containers to avoid contamination and loss of evidence, investigators should be especially aware of the risks associated with handling used needles and clandestine drug lab evidence when involved in those cases and heed all safety guidelines, clandestine drug labs are typically thought of as "meth labs" or "crack houses" and typically contain many volatile substances that present numerous hazardous conditions, evidence collection at these places takes place after the site has been deemed safe for personnel to enter by hazardous materials experts, each item of evidence is collected and packaged as indicated by the type of material it is, and seal should not be broken

Classifying a medication as a prescription drug is don't by the ___ ___ ___ ___ ___.

us food and drug administration

What are the two steps when using a GC-MS?

use gas chromatography to separate the components of the mixture and use mass spectrometry to get mass fragmentation

What primary color spot test turns purple in the presence of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)?

van urk