Ch. 4 Forensic
What is field testing?
A portable, handheld, roadside breath tester may be used to determine a preliminary breath alcohol content. The amount of alcohol exhaled in the breath is in direct proportion to the blood concentration. BrAC is reported as grams of alcohol per 210 liters of expired air (g/210L).
Depressants Alcohol
Alcohol (ethyl alcohol) enters the body's bloodstream and quickly travels to the brain, where it acts to suppress the brain's control of thought processes and muscle coordination.
What is alcohol absorption?
Alcohol appears in the blood within minutes after it has been consumed and slowly increases concentration while being absorbed from the stomach (10-20%) and the small intestine (80-90%) into the bloodstream. For an average human drinking on an empty to modestly full stomach, alcohol is absorbed entirely into the blood stream 30-90 minutes after the completion of drinking. When drinking on a full stomach, the absorption time can be as long as 2-4 hours. Factors such as time taken to consume the drink, the alcohol content, the amount consumed, and food present in the stomach determine the rate at which alcohol is absorbed.
What are some examples of stimulants?
Amphetamine and methamphetamine cause an initial rush, followed by an intense feeling of pleasure. (seen a lot in north Texas) This is followed by a period of exhaustion and a prolonged period of depression.
What are bath salts?
Bath salts" are synthetic cathinones. The samples are usually a white or brown crystal-like powder in clear capsules or baggies, and do not resemble actual bath salts. Drug manufacturers sell them as novelty items in head shops and online. These drugs can be ingested orally in capsules, snorted, smoked or injected. They produce feelings of euphoria, alertness, talkativeness, sexual arousal, and a focused mind. Adverse effects include: fatigue, pain, tachycardia, disorientation, insomnia, and muscle spasms.
What are the laws surrounding alcohol?
Between 1939 and 1964 a person having a blood-alcohol level in excess of 0.15 percent w/v was to be considered under the influence, which was lowered to 0.10 percent by 1965. In 1972 the impairment level was recommended to be lowered again to 0.08 percent w/v. The ability to operate a vehicle in ALL individuals is affected at 0.08. Starting in 2003, states that have not adopted the 0.08 percent level lose part of their federal funds for highway construction. To prevent a person's refusal to take a test for alcohol consumption, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommended an "implied consent" law. Adopted by all states by 1973, this law states that the operation of a motor vehicle on a public highway automatically carries with it the stipulation that a driver will submit for a test for alcohol intoxication if requested or be subject to loss of the license
What is the role of the Toxicologist?
Beyond alcohol, the toxicologist is requested to examine body fluids and/or organs for the presence of various drugs and poisons. Without supportive evidence (the victim's symptoms, a postmortem pathological examination, or the victim's personal effects), the toxicologist must use general screening procedures with the hope of narrowing thousands of possibilities to one. The toxicologist is not dealing with drugs at the concentration levels found in powders and pills, having been dissipated and distributed throughout the body. The body is an active chemistry laboratory, few substances enter and completely leave the body in the same chemical state. The toxicologist then must assess the toxicity of the drug or poison.
What is blood alcohol testing?
Blood must always be drawn under medically accepted conditions by a qualified individual. A nonalcoholic disinfectant is applied before the suspect's skin is penetrated with a sterile needle or lancet. Once blood is removed from an individual, it is preserved sealed in an airtight container with an anticoagulant and a preservative and stored in a refrigerator.
What is a breath tester?
Breath testers that operate on the principle of infrared light absorption are popular within the law enforcement community. Many types of breath testers are designed to capture a set volume of breath. The captured breath is exposed to infrared light. Breath testers operate on the fact that at 34°C, the ratio of alcohol in the blood to alcohol in alveolar breath is approximately 2,100 to 1. It's the degree of the interaction of the infrared light with alcohol in the breath chamber that allows the instrument to measure a blood alcohol concentration in breath. Some breath testing devices also use fuel cells.
What are some new trends?
Cartridges Edibles Bath salts Synthetic cannabinoids Fentanyl and fentanyl analogs
What is alcohol elimination?
Elimination of alcohol throughout the body is accomplished through oxidation and excretion. Oxidation takes place almost entirely in the liver. ~97% of alcohol eliminated is through the breakdown into its metabolites via ADH. ~2% of alcohol is excreted unchanged in the breath, urine, and perspiration. In the lungs, carbon dioxide and alcohol leave the blood and oxygen enters the blood in the air sacs known as alveoli. Then the carbon dioxide and alcohol are exhaled during breathing. Rate of elimination is constant. The elimination or "burn-off" rate of alcohol varies, but 0.015%/hr is the average.
A toxicology forensic scientist cannot testify to:
Estimated concentration at time of incident Cannot back extrapolate with drug levels Amount of drug consumed Amount of drug in system at time of incident Route of administration When the drug was first/last administered
What is the schedule classification of fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a Schedule II narcotic under the United States Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Why? b/c of the analogs laced with it The DEA has placed Furanyl Fentanyl, 4- Fluoroisobutyryl Fentanyl, Acryl Fentanyl, Tetrahydrofuranyl Fentanyl, and Ocfentanil in Schedule I on 11/29/2018
What is fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine. Pharmaceutical fentanyl was developed for pain management treatment of cancer patients, applied in a patch on the skin. Fentanyl is often mixed with heroin and/or cocaine as a combination product—with or without the user's knowledge—to increase its euphoric effects. Most recent cases of fentanyl-related harm, overdose, and death in the U.S. are linked to illegally made fentanyl. Clandestinely-produced fentanyl is primarily manufactured in Mexico.
What is drug identification?
Forensic drug identification uses analytical procedures that will ensure a specific identification of a drug. This plan, or scheme of analysis, is divided into two phases. Screening test that is nonspecific and preliminary to reduce the possibilities to a manageable number. Confirmation test that is a single test that specifically identifies a substance.
What is FTIR-ATR?
Fourier Transform Infrared - Attenuated Total Reflectance The ATR enables samples to be examined directly in the solid without further preparation. IR radiation travels through the crystal and interacts with the sample on the surface in contact with the ATR crystal. Fast, confirmatory examination3 Can conclusively identify substances Can even differentiate between isomers Drawback is you have to have a pure sample
Gas chromatography-flame ionization (GC-FID) detection
Gas chromatography is the most widely used approach for determining alcohol levels in blood. Dual Column Headspace Gas Chromatography - Flame Ionization Detection Vial is sealed and heated. Volatile components diffuse into the gas phase until the headspace has reached a state of equilibrium. The sample is then taken from the headspace. Clean, efficient analysis
What is mass spectrometry?
In the mass spectrometer, a beam of high-energy electrons collide with a material, producing positively charged ions. These positive ions almost instantaneously decompose into numerous fragments, which are separated according to their masses. The unique feature of mass spectrometry is that under carefully controlled conditions, no two substances produce the same fragmentation pattern.
What is a controlled substance?
It is a drug or chemical whose manufacture and/or possession is regulated by a government (or some sort of law), has potential for abuse and may can cause physical and/or mental dependence.
What is physical dependence?
It is defined as the physiological need for a drug brought about by its regular use. Ex. Marijuana and cocaine are common drugs of abuse whose regular use does not lead to physical dependence. (psychological dependence)
What is the significance of toxicological findings?
Once the drug is extracted and identified, the toxicologist may be required to provide an opinion on the drug's effect on an individual's natural performance or physical state. Before drawing conclusions about drug-induced behavior, the analyst must consider other factors including age, health, and tolerance. With a living person, the toxicologist has the added benefit of knowing what a police officer may have observed about an individual's behavior and motor skills
How is opium made?
Opiates are extracted from opium and poppy straw. Raw opium is the latex harvested by making incisions on the green capsules (seed pods), then dried. Poppy straw is the dried mature plant except the seeds, harvested by mowing.
What are color tests?
Preliminary, screening exams Advantages Simple Fast Disadvantages Non-specific Destructive Subject to perception
What does cobalt thiocyanate test for?
Tests for Cocaine Reagent: 3 preparations 2% solution in H2O 2% solution in 50 mL H2O/50 mL glycerin In 100 mL H2O/100 mL glycerin (Scott reagent) Can be one-, two-, or three-parts Reagent, conc HCl, extract with CHCl3 Results Blue result in reagent only (Cocaine HCl) No result in reagent, blue w/ conc HCl addition (Cocaine base) Scott Test Sample in reagent + drops of conc HCl, extract with CHCl3 Pink/Blue result is positive
What does sodium nitroprusside (SNP) test for?
Tests for Secondary Amines Ex: Methamphetamine Reagent: Sodium Nitroprusside in Acetaldehyde/ H2O Two-part test Substance in SNP reagent + drop of Na2CO3 Interpretation: Strong Blue = positive Rose color = negative
What is the marquis test?
Tests for heroin and amphetamines Reagent: conc. Sulfuric Acid/~37% Formaldehyde Interpretation: Orange Amphetamine/Methamphetamine Black MDA compounds, Dextromethorphan Purple Opiates, Methocarbamol, Guaifenesin Red Salicylates Yellow Diphenhydramine, Bath Salts (MDPV, MDMC)
What does duquenois-levine test for?
Tests for marijuana/THC Duquenois reagent Vanillin + acetaldehyde + ethanol Three-part test Add reagent to evaporated Pet Ether extract of plant substance Add HCl dropwise, extract with CHCl3 Results Positive result is purple color extracted into CHCl3 layer
What is alcohol level?
Texas Penal Code: Sec. 49.04. DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED. (a) A person commits an offense if the person is intoxicated while operating a motor vehicle in a public place. The extent an individual may be intoxicated is usually determined by either measuring the quantity of alcohol present in the blood system or by measuring the alcohol content in the breath.
What is INFRARED SPECTROPHOTOMETER (IR)?
The IR is an instrument used to measure and record the absorption spectrum of a chemical substance in the infrared (IR) region. Different materials have distinctively different infrared spectra; therefore each IR spectrum is equivalent to a "fingerprint" of that substance. Bonds of molecules are bending, stretching, vibrating at certain frequencies IR light is transmitted through a sample and when light frequency matches frequency of the motion, the light is absorbed
What are the Drug-control laws?
The U.S. federal law known as the Controlled Substances Act is a legal drug classification system created to prevent and control drug abuse. This federal law establishes five schedules of classification for controlled dangerous substances based on a drug's: potential for abuse potential for physical and psychological dependence medical value
What is the toxicology of alcohol?
The analysis of alcohol is the most common test in forensic toxicology. Alcohol, or ethyl alcohol, is a colorless liquid normally diluted with water and consumed as a beverage. A depressant, alcohol principally effects the central nervous system, particularly the brain.
What are stimulants?
The drug classification of stimulants includes amphetamines and cocaine. Stimulants are substances taken to increase alertness or activity, followed by a decrease in fatigue and a loss of appetite.
What is the analytical scheme?
The forensic toxicologist devises an analytical scheme that will successfully detect, isolate, and specifically identify toxic drug substances. Once the drug has been extracted from appropriate biological fluids, tissues, and organs, the forensic toxicologist proceeds to identify the drug substance present. Drug extraction is generally based on a large number of drugs being either acidic or basic. The strategy used for identifying abused drugs entails a two-step approach: screening and confirmation.
What is alcohol metabolism?
When all the alcohol has been absorbed, a maximum alcohol level is reached in the blood and the post-absorption period begins. Alcohol is metabolized in the stomach by alcohol dehydrogenase. Alcohol is then carried to the liver where the process of its destruction starts. Asians don't have alcohol dehydrogenase The alcohol concentration slowly decreases until a zero level is again reached.
What is blood alcohol concentration (BAC)?
Widemark equation is used to determine impact of a drink to a person's BAC (based on type of beverage, weight, and gender). BAC % = (A × 5.14/W × r) - .015 × H A: Total alcohol consumed, in ounces (oz) W: Body weight, in pounds (lbs) r: alcohol distribution ratio: 0.73 for men, 0.66 for women H: Time passed since drinking, in hours
What is a drug?
a natural or synthetic substance that is used to produce physiological or psychological effects in humans or other higher order animals.
What are GHB and Rohypnol?
are central nervous system depressants that are often connected with drug-facilitated sexual assault, rape, and robbery. Just knocks you out
Depressants Barbiturates
Barbiturates, or "downers," are normally taken orally and create a feeling of well-being, relax the body, and produce sleep.
What is NBOME's?
2-(4-Iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl) ethanamine: "25I" or "NBOMe" Hallucinogen: a psychedelic drug (Schedule I) It was discovered in 2003 by chemist Ralf Heim at the Free University of Berlin. The compound was subsequently investigated by a team at Purdue University led by David Nichols. 25I-NBOMe is often applied to sheets of blotter paper of which small portions (tabs) are held in the mouth to allow absorption through the oral mucosa. There are reports of intravenous injection of 25I-NBOMe solution and smoking the drug in powdered form. Drug users perceive this chemical as a "legal version" of LSD. Considered 66 times more potent than LSD and is active at extremely low doses. January 2013 (Scottsdale, AZ): 18 year-old died after consuming 25I-NBOMe *Sold as LSD April 2013: The drug is the suspected cause of death in another Scottsdale, Arizona December 2013: 25I-NBOMe (25-i) connected to a death of a 15 year old boy in Frisco, TX.
What is DRE?
A Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) is a law enforcement officer trained to detect and identify persons impaired or affected by drugs and/or alcohol. DREs relies heavily upon the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) DREs are trained to conduct a standardized and systematic 12-step evaluation consisting of physical, mental, and medical components.
What is a screening?
A screening test is employed to provide the analyst with quick likelihood that a specimen contains a drug substance. Positive results arising from a screening test are tentative and must be verified with a confirmation test. The most widely used screening tests are thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography, and immunoassay.
What is HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY (HPLC)?
A solvent containing the sample passes through a column. The components of the sample interact with the column differently. After the components are separated, the signal generated by the dectector (UV-Vis/PDA) for each analyte, is compared to standards/published data. Technique is used for quantitative analysis. The presence of the analyte gives a response proportional to the concentration.
What is alcohol physiology?
Absorption Distribution Metabolism Elimination
What are the physical effects of alcohol?
Balance, speech, vision, hearing Reduced reaction time Ability to multi-task is reduced Gross motor impairment
Chromatography
Chromatography is based on the observation 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. Those materials that have a preference for the moving phase will slowly pull ahead and separate from those substances that prefer to remain in the stationary phase.
What is the difference between chromatography and spectrometry?
Chromatography, spectrophotometry, and mass spectrometry are all readily used by a forensic scientist to identify or compare organic materials. Chromatography is a means of separating and tentatively identifying the components of a mixture. Spectrophotometry is the study of the absorption of light by chemical substances.
Stimulants Cocaine
Cocaine, extracted from the leaves of Erythroxylin coca, causes increased alertness and vigor, accompanied by the suppression of hunger, fatigue, and boredom. Cocaine in its free-base form is known as crack. Crack is cocaine mixed with baking soda and water, then heated. Crack, often smoked in glass pipes, stimulates the brain's pleasure center
What are edibles?
Edible Marihuana Food products that contain THC
What are depressants?
Depressants are substances used to depress the functions of the central nervous system. Depressants calm irritability and anxiety and may induce sleep. Most used in the United States These include alcohol (ethanol), barbiturates, tranquilizers, and various substances that can be sniffed, such as airplane glue, model cement, or aerosol gas propellants such as freon.
What are types of Tox cases
DWI/DUI >90% of the cases received in the lab Sexual assault Both blood and urine analyzed for alcohol Questioned death (or any deceased subject testing) Vitreous is best for alcohol testing Blood from arm or femoral artery for drug content Homicide Child endangerment Usually receive blood for suspects and urine for victims
What are the rules around the use of marijuana in Texas?
Dec 2014: Possession of up to two ounces of marijuana can result in a jail sentence of up to 6 months and fine of up to $2,000. June 2015: Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill legalizing CBD oil for medical use in patients with intractable epilepsy. May 2019: Texas expanded the qualifying conditions of medical cannabis to include Parkinson's disease, ALS, autism, multiple sclerosis, spasticity and terminal cancer. June 2019: Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill into law legalizing hemp and hemp-derived products like CBD oil, and the legal definition of marijuana changed from cannabis to cannabis that contains more than 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol
What is confirmation determination?
Once preliminary analysis is completed, a confirmation determination is performed. Forensic chemists will employ a specific test to identify a drug substance to the exclusion of all other known chemical substances. Typically, infrared spectrophotometry or mass spectrometry is used to specifically identify a drug substance.
What is enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique (EMT)
Drug content analysis only requests, or both alcohol and drug analysis and alcohol was <0.10, will go on to the initial drug content screen Analyzed with an immunoassay test (similar to hospital toxicology) Used as a roadmap for further testing
How to detect drugs in hair?
Drugs present in blood diffuse through the capillary walls into the base of the hair and become permanently entrapped in the hair's hardening protein structure. As the hair continues to grow, the drug's location on the hair shaft becomes a historical marker for delineating drug intake. Since the average human head hair grows ~1 cm per month, analyzing segments of hair for drug content may define the timeline for drug use. The chronology of drug intake may be distorted by drugs penetrating the hair's surface as a result of environmental exposure or drugs may enter the hair's surface through sweat.
Gas chromatography
Gas chromatography permits rapid separation of complex mixtures into individual compounds and allows identification and quantitative determination of each compound. The moving phase is the carrier gas, which flows through the column. The stationary phase is a thin film of liquid contained within the column. After a mixture has traversed the length of the column, it will emerge separated into its components. The time required for a component to emerge from a GC column is known as retention time. The written record of this separation is called a chromatogram. A sample is introduced by a syringe (1) into a heated injection chamber (2). A constant stream of nitrogen gas (3) flows through the injector, carrying the sample into the column (4) which contains a thin film of liquid. The sample is separated in the column; the carrier gas and separated components emerge from the column and enter the detector (5). Signals developed by the detector activate the recorder (7), which makes a permanent record of the separation by tracing a series of peaks on the chromatograph (8). The time of elution identifies the component present, and the peak area identifies the concentration.
What are hallucinogen?
Hallucinogens cause marked changes in normal thought processes, perceptions, and moods. Marijuana is the most well-known in this class of drugs, and the most controversial.
What are nondrug poisons?
Heavy metals such as arsenic, bismuth, antimony, mercury, and thallium are severely regulated by the EPA so are limitedly available to the general public. Carbon monoxide is one of the most common poisons encountered in a forensic laboratory. To measure the concentration of carbon monoxide in the blood, spectrophotometric methods determine the amount of carboxyhemoglobin relative to oxyhemoglobin or total hemoglobin; or a volume of blood can be treated with a reagent to liberate the carbon monoxide, which is then measured by gas chromatography
What is alcohol distribution?
Humans have a closed circulatory system consisting of a heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries. Once alcohol is absorbed, it circulates in the blood throughout the body. Ethanol is hydrophilic. It moves into muscles and organs, but not into adipose tissue or bone. The volume of distribution is based on size, gender and body mass index. Ex. Women have more fat/water= more area for alcohol to be processed in
What is the most common source of narcotic drugs?
It is opium, extracted from poppies. Opium poppy is the principal source of most naturally occurring μ-opioid receptor agonist opioids
What is ketamine?
It is primarily used as a veterinary animal anesthetic that in humans causes euphoria and hallucinations. Ketamine can also cause impaired motor functions, high blood pressure, amnesia, and mild respiratory depression.
What is naloxone?
It is the antidote for fentanyl Overdose may result in stupor, changes in pupillary size, cold and clammy skin, cyanosis, coma, and respiratory failure leading to death. Naloxone is a safe and effective antidote to opioid related overdoses, including heroin and fentanyl, and is a critical tool in preventing fatal opioid overdoses.
Other hallucinogens include...
LSD, mescaline, PCP, psilocybin, and MDMA (Ecstasy). LSD is synthesized from lysergic acid and can cause hallucinations that can last for 12 hours
What is a standardized field sobriety test (SFST)
Law enforcement officers typically use field sobriety tests to estimate a motorist's degree of physical impairment by alcohol and whether or not an evidential test for alcohol is justified. The horizontal gaze nystagmus test, walk and turn, and the one leg stand are all considered reliable and effective psychophysical tests. Usually the gaze nystagmus test is smooth, with not eye jerking; can't be faked, unless a medical condition
What is the most well known hallucinogen?
Marijuana
What are microcrystalline tests?
Microcrystalline tests can also be used to identify specific drug substances by studying the size and shape of crystals formed when the drug is mixed with specific reagents.
What are some examples of Opiates?
Morphine is readily extracted from opium and is used to synthesize heroin. Codeine is also present in opium, but it is usually prepared synthetically from morphine. Heroin can be dissolved in water by heating it in a spoon and then injecting it in the skin. Heroin produces a "high" that is accompanied by drowsiness and a sense of well-being that generally last for three to four hours. All Cheese contains heroin; not all heroin is Cheese. Cheese is a cocktail of heroin and an over-the-counter cold medication, such as Tylenol PM. Such cold medications contain acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, and the antihistamine diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in Benadryl. OxyContin, with the active ingredient oxycodone, is not derived from opium or morphine, but does have the same physiological effects on the body as do opium narcotics. OxyContin is prescribed to a million patients for treatment of chronic pain. Methadone which is pharmacologically related to heroin, appears to eliminate the addict's desire for heroin while producing minimal side effects. Lessens the effects of withdrawals
What are the common classification of drugs of abuse?
Narcotics, Depressants, Stimulants, Hallucinogens
What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative?
Qualitative - relates to the identity of the material Quantitative - requires the determination of the percent composition of the components of a mixture. Consideration for what type of analytical technique is selected is based on the need for a qualitative or a quantitative determination.
What is a UV spectrophotometer?
Qualitative: absorbance used to identify a compound by matching the measured absorbance over a range of wavelengths to a standard/published data Quantitative: absorbance used to obtain the concentration of a sample Ultraviolet/Visible Spectrophotometer Samples are dissolved in acid, base or MeOH and placed in a cuvette Light passes through the sample at a specific wavelength in the UV or visible spectrum Some light passes and the other is absorbed by the sample Screening instrument can only tell us classes of the compound ex. Phenethylamines all have same UV Fast, easy to perform Adulterants can interfere and mask controlled substance Acetaminophen, Caffeine, Nicotinamide all strong absorbers
What are the mental effects of alcohol?
Relaxation Decreased inhibitions Reasoning and memory Reduced judgement
What is psychological dependence?
Repeated drug use creates a psychological dependence for continued use of the drug. Depends on: the personal characteristics of the user Ex. obsessive personality their expectations about the drug experience Ex. placebo, want sleep, therefore need it to sleep society's attitudes and possible responses Ex. society's current opinion; open to marijuana the settings in which the drug is used Ex. at a party
What is retrograde extrapolation?
Retrograde extrapolation uses a defendant's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) obtained at a later time to estimate what their BAC was at an earlier time, based on the average rate at which alcohol is eliminated from the body. If 0.05, must poove what stage they were wat their highest point or while they were driving depending on time they drank
What are the schedule of classification?
Schedule I drugs have a high potential for abuse and have no currently accepted medical use such as heroin, marijuana, methaqualone and LSD. Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse and have medical use with severe restrictions such as cocaine, PCP, and most amphetamine and barbiturate prescriptions. Schedule III drugs have less potential for abuse and a currently accepted medical use such as all barbiturate prescriptions not covered under Schedule II, codeine, and anabolic steroids. Schedule IV drugs have a low potential for abuse and have a current medical use such as darvon, phenobarbital, and some tranquilizers such as diazepam (valium) and chlordiazepoxide (librium). Schedule V drugs must show low abuse potential and have medical use such as opiate drug mixtures that contain nonnarcotic medicinal ingredients.
What is seized drug analysis?
Seized Drugs Analysts analyze evidence for the presence of controlled substances, including pharmaceutical and illicit drugs, plant material, edibles, paraphernalia, and related liquid and powder chemicals. Analysis includes determination of net or gross weight, chemical screening examinations, instrumental confirmation tests, and pharmaceutical identification of tablets/capsules.
What are synthetic cannabinoids?
Smokable herbal mixtures sold as incense Commonly referred to as K2 or Spice A combination of natural plant material (potentially bioactive herbs) and a synthetic drug similar to THC. Synthetic cannabinoids were created in an attempt to manufacture a legitimate pharmaceutical that would produce the pain relieving effects of marihuana without producing the high. Biochemists had discovered a part of the body called the cannabinoid receptor, which seemed to be involved with things like sleep, appetite, and pain. John W. Huffman is a retired organic chemistry professor from Clemson University whose job was to synthesize brand new chemical compounds to trigger the receptor. Compounds are named for who or where they were synthesized. JWH-018 - John W. Huffman HU-210 - Hebrew University Synthetic Cannabinoids (Penalty Group 2-A) Small changes to chemical formulas produce newer compounds Might not be specifically listed in the penalty groups/schedules
What is a smell test?
Sodium m-Periodate Test (SMP) Test for Ephedrine/Pseudoephedrine Add sample to dry SMP + drops of Na2CO3 Cherry odor (benzaldehyde formation) Wintergreen Test Test for Cocaine Add sample to Wintergreen reagent Wintergreen odor (methyl benzoate formation)
How are controlled substances regulated?
State law regulates the possession of these substance according to penalty groups in the Texas Controlled Substances Act and schedules listed by the Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Federal law regulates the possession of these substances according to the United States Code (USC) Controlled Substances Act.
What are E-CIGARETTES?
THC cartridges Electronic vaporizer pens (ecigarettes) Viscous liquid in cartridge of ecigarettes may contain THC (Hash oil) Devices can be smoked in public areas without detection because unlike regular burning marijuana, vaporizing hash oil may not emit any marijuana odor.
What is thin-layer chromatography (TLC)
Technique used to separate non-volatile mixtures Spot sample on a plate, place in suitable solvent in a chamber to develop, remove plate when solvent front almost reaches top Solvent system: Cyclohexane:toluene:acetone:diethylamine (50:25:15:10) Spray with an indicator once solvent dries Indicator reagent: Fast Blue RR (Fast Blue RR salt in EtOH) Not confirmatory Migration of components of sample are compared to those of the standards Used almost exclusively for marihuana
How is marijuana used medically?
The medical use of cannabis is legalized (with a doctor's recommendation) in 37 states, D.C., and 4 of 5 permanently inhabited U.S. territories. 11 other states have laws that limit THC content, for the purpose of allowing cannabidiol (CBD) products, a non-psychoactive component of cannabis. The recreational use of cannabis is legalized in 18 states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington), D.C., the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam. Another 15 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands have decriminalized. "Cite and Release" in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin residents of Travis County)
What is the schedule classification of Marijuana?
The removal of cannabis from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act has been proposed repeatedly since 1972. In August 2016, the DEA reaffirmed its position and refused to remove Schedule I classification. Although the use of cannabis remains federally illegal, some of its derivative compounds have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for prescription use. Although cannabis remains a Schedule I drug, the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment prohibits federal prosecution of individuals complying with state medical cannabis laws.
What are narcotics?
They are analgesics Relieve pain by depressing action on the central nervous system Affects functions such as blood pressure, pulse rate, and breathing rate The regular use of a narcotic drug will lead to physical dependence.
Courtroom Testimony and Tox Testimony
Tox testimony corroborates the DRE, SFSTs, witnesses, etc. Toxicology forensic scientist may testify to: Drug info à common names, drug classification, purpose of prescription, history of drug General prescription info Drug properties Pharmacokinetics: absorption, distribution, elimination (half-lives) Pharmacodynamics: effects on the body - especially effects that affect a person's human behavior or performance DRE matrix (major indicators) Info and opinions about effects witnessed and observed at the incident and their consistency with effects of the reported drugs Any and all information that pertains to the limitations of testing Sensitivity for drugs that produce low concentrations Inability to test for every possible drug Depending on analyst experience, a forensic scientist can testify on the likelihood of impairment based on certain factors: Drug used illegally increases likelihood of intoxication Poly-drug use increases likelihood of intoxication If prescription drug: Recreational use increases likelihood of intoxication New to the prescription increases likelihood of intoxication In combination with other drugs increases likelihood of intoxication In combination with alcohol increases likelihood of intoxication In concentrations above published therapeutic values increases likelihood of intoxication
What do toxicologist do?
Toxicologists work to detect and identify the presence of drugs and poisons in body fluids, tissues, and organs. Toxicologists work in crime laboratories and medical examiners' offices, as well as hospital laboratories and health facilities to identify a drug overdose or monitor the intake of drugs. A major branch of forensic toxicology deals with the measurement of alcohol in the body for matters that pertain to violations of criminal law.
Depressants Tranquilizers
Tranquilizers produce a relaxing tranquility without impairment of high-thinking faculties or inducing sleep. Sniffing has immediate effects such as exhilaration, but impairs judgment and may cause liver, heart, and brain damage or even death.
GAS CHROMATOGRAPH/MASS SPECTROMETER (GC/MS)
Two instruments connected together GC - separates components a mixture MS - fragments each component by high-energy electrons to produce a distinct pattern that is unique and reproducible The sample is extracted and dissolved in an organic solvent. A small amount of the substance is injected into a heated inlet port, and a carrier gas sweeps it into the column. The GC column separates the mixture into its components. In the ion source, a filament wire emits electrons that strike the sample molecules, causing them to fragment as they leave the GC column. The quadrupole, consisting of four rods, separates the fragments according to their mass (retention time). The detector counts the fragments passing through the quadrupole. The signal is small and must be amplified. The data system detects and measures the abundance of each fragment and displays the mass spectrum.
What is preliminary analysis?
Unknown substance may be any one of a thousand or more commonly encountered drugs, so the analyst must use screening tests to reduce the possibilities to a small and manageable number. A sample of the substance is combined with a reagent that produces a color change in the solution. The color change can help determine the type of drug that is present.
What is confirmation?
Utilize Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry or Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry to determine the exact drug present. GCMS Drug Methods Urine THC Barbiturates Amines GC screen - full scan method LCMS Drug Methods Benzodiazepine Mix Opiate/Cocaine THC Target Qualitative LC screen - enhanced product ion scan (ion trap method)
What is Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also known as MDMA or Ecstasy?
is a synthetic mind-altering drug that exhibits many hallucinogenic and amphetamine-like effects. Ecstasy enhances self-awareness and decreases inhibitions; however, seizures, muscle breakdown, stroke, kidney failure, and cardiovascular system failure often accompany chronic abuse.
Phencyclidine (PCP)
often synthesized in clandestine laboratories, is smoked, ingested, or sniffed. PCP is often mixed with other drugs, such as LSD, or amphetamine, and is sold as a powder (angel dust), capsule, or tablet. Oral intake first leads to feelings of strength and invulnerability, which may turn to depression, violent tendencies, and suicide Smells like perm solution
