1.2.3 to 1.2.4: Forensic toxicology & histology Flashcards
Metabolism
The process of converting molecules to new substances or energy.
Metabolites
The molecules produced during metabolism; found in blood, sweat, urine, skin cells, hair, and fingernails. They can give clues as to what substances a individual ingested.
Presumptive tests
Tests that indicate if a certain substance or chemical is present but doesn’t identify the exact identity of the substance being tested (ie, Marquis tests)
Confirmatory tests
Specific tests that can pinpoint the exact substance and its properties (ie, gas chromatography)
Aspirin
OTC painkiller
Acetaminophen
OTC painkiller & fever reducer
Oxycodone
Opioid painkiller; requires a prescription and is commonly abused
Forensic toxicologist vs. chemist
A forensic toxicologist analyzes samples to see if certain chemicals/substances are present that could have contributed to the decedent’s death; a forensic chemist tests these substances to determine their identity.
Histology
Study of the microscopic anatomy of tissues
Central nervous system
The brain and spinal cord process the information and decide what to do. They send information to the peripheral nervous system.
Peripheral nervous system
Nerves transmit signals from the brain throughout the body to initiate specific responses.
Parietal lobe
Integrates sensory and visual information
Occipital lobe
Receives and processes sensory nerve impulses from the eyes
Temporal lobe
Processes language and stores information in the long-term memory
Frontal lobe
Plans and organizes incoming information; controls behaviors and emotions
TBI
Traumatic brain injury; caused by an outside force
CTE
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy; progressive degeneration caused by repeated injury to the brain
Epithelial tissue
Found on outer surfaces of organs and blood vessels; is a protective barrier, absorbs substances, and secretes substances
Connective tissue
Supports or connects other tissue types and is attached to / in between other tissues in the body
Nervous tissue
Found in nerves, the brain, and spinal cord; interprets and responds to signals and is made of neurons
Muscle tissue
Makes up muscles and has 3 kinds: striated/skeletal (attached to bones), smooth (walls of internal organs), and cardiac (walls of heart)
Neurons and Tau proteins during a concussion
Neurons are stretched, sheared, or transected during a concussion, meaning that they can’t effectively transmit signals. After repeated brain injury, Tau proteins clump in the brain, which spread and kill neurons.
