9 - Forensic Aspects of Drug Abuse 2

Question 1

Is alcohol usually a direct cause of death?

Answer 1

No, but often directly responsible for death

Question 2

What sources can be used for alcohol analysis?

Answer 2

• Blood, urine
• Vitreous humour, CSF, bile
• Breath

Question 3

Describe the possible breathalyzer readings

Answer 3

• 0 – 0.049 is displayed = 0-49 mg%
• A (alert) is displayed = 50-99 mg%
• F (fail) is displayed = 100 mg% or greater

Question 4

Consumption = ___ + ____

Answer 4

Absorption + elimination

Question 5

What affects rate of absorption of alcohol?

Answer 5

• Food in the stomach (fastest absorption on empty stomach)
• Speed of consumption
• Concentration of alcohol (20% alcohol has fastest rate of absorption)
• Drugs, disease, emotional state

Question 6

How long is alcohol absorbed after last drink?

Answer 6

20-30 minutes after last drink

Question 7

Describe alcohol distribution

Answer 7

Will distribute anywhere w/ water, so the higher water content in an organ the more likely alcohol will distribute there

Question 8

What determines BAC?

Answer 8

• Body size (weight)
• Body fat –> higher body fat = less alcohol distributed to fat, so more stays in blood => higher BAC
• Gender

Question 9

Elimination = ____ + _____

Answer 9

Metabolism + excretion

Question 10

Describe metabolism of alcohol

Answer 10

• 90-98% occurs in the liver

- Alcohol -> acetaldehyde -> acetate -> CO and H2O

Question 11

Describe excretion of alcohol

Answer 11

• 2-10% eliminated unchanged (via breath, urine, feces, sweat, tears, saliva)
• For a 70 kg male, alcohol is eliminated at a rate of 25 mL of liquor (40% v/v) per hour
• Regardless of height, weight, gender, or amount of fatty tissue a person has, a person’s BAC will decrease by 15 mg%/hour (BAC range of 10-20 mg%/hr)