Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Forensic Science > Alcohol > Flashcards

Alcohol Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What do Drug Toxicologists do?

A

Detect and identify the presence of drugs and poisons in body fluids, tissues, and organs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Drugs can be either . . .

A

Illegal, legal, or pharmaceutical

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Where do drug toxicologists work?

A

Health facilities such as hospitals and clinics as well as crime labs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

The role of the toxicologist?

A

First attempt to narrow down type of toxic substance based on victim’s symptoms, postmortem pathological exam, exam of victim’s personal effects, nearby presence of empty drug containers or household chemicals

Next, they use general screening procedures

Test for small quantities that may be remaining

Must be aware that the body always processes substances so test for the metabolite

Must also assess for substance’s toxicity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the most frequently requested test?

A

Presence of alcohol

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Why must drug toxicologists test for the metabolite?

A

Few substances enter and completely leave the body in the same chemical state since most are metabolized

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the most widely abused drug in western countries?

A

Alcohol

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Most of the worst effects of alcohol are not due to the alcohol, but from what?

A

psychomotor impairment

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Due to the prevalence of abuse, laws have been instituted to regulate alcohol abuse, such as . . . ?

A

Driving while under the influence– intoxication

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

The degree of intoxication can be influenced by what factors?

A

Body weight

Rate of absorption through stomach and small intestines directly into the blood stream (influenced by presence/absence of food)

Total time taken to consume the alcohol

Type of alcohol consumed– diluted/undiluted

The longer total time required for complete absorption, the lower will be the peak alcohol concentration

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Alcohol and the law

A

A BAC of .08% or .10% in most states in equivalent to intoxication for most drivers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the Federal standard for bus and truck operators?

A

.04%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

When is BAC the highest?

A

An hour after consumption

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What does “DUI” stand for?

A

Driving Under the Influence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Why are legislative limits for DUI different?

A

Depends on country and jurisdiction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What must be available to accurately determine BAC at time of arrest

A

Uniform testing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What happens when comparing testing vs. time of arrest?

A

Allowable level of analytical inaccuracy

  • Usually between 0.2g/L (g of alcohol per L of blood)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Generally, blood alcohol level drops how many mg/dL per hour?

A

15 to 20 mg/dL per hour

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

How many hours would a person with a BAL of 120 mg/dL (1.2 g/L) take to reach a negligible level?

A

6 to 8 hours

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Driving laws

A

implied consent comes with obtaining a license to operate a motor vehicle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Driver has a choice:

A

Submit to test

Subject to loss of license for a given period of time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Legalizing alcohol

A

Methods had to be developed to assess levels of intoxication at the time of arrest

These had to be reliable to withstand court presentation

They also needed to be standardized throughout jurisdictions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Most commonly encountered in terms of DUI

A

Ethanol

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Methanol

A

Highly toxic
Mainly wood grain alcohols
May cause blindness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Which two drugs cause impairment but are not consumed regularly?

A

Isopropanol and ethylene glycol (antifreeze)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

While alcohol is the most common source, ethanol is present in what?

A

Gasoline
Industry solvents
Household products
Pharmaceuticals (hand sanitizers, mouthwash)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Sources of methanol

A

tends to be in methyl alcohol and wood alcohol

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Methanol is mainly located in what?

A

Consumer products– windshield wiping fluid, carburetor cleaners, copy machine toner

Formaldehyde

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Ethylene Glycol is found in which consumer products?

A

Antifreeze
Hydraulic fluids
Drying agents
Ink

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

0.02 BAC

A

Relaxation, slight body warmth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

0.05 BAC

A

Sedation, slowed reaction time

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

0.10 BAC

A

Slurred speech, poor coordination, slowed thinking

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

0.20 BAC

A

Trouble walking, double vision, nausea, vomiting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

0.30 BAC

A

May pass out, tremors, memory loss, cool body temperature

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

0.40 BAC

A

Trouble breathing, coma, possible death

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

0.50 BAC and greater

A

Death

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Female demographic difference in intoxication

A

Higher blood ethanol levels after ingesting equal doses

More susceptible to alcohol-induced hepatitis and cirrhosis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

Asians demographic difference in intoxication

A

50% have inactive ALDH, which increases the risk of esophageal, stomach, colon, lung, head and neck cancers

39
Q

Effects of Ethanol on the brain

A

it depresses the Central Nervous System (CNS)

Extent of depression is directly proportional to concentration of alcohol within the nerve cells

40
Q

How ethanol effects the brain

A

Eventually alcohol will effect the central and rear portions of the brain

41
Q

Which portions of the brain are the most resistant and last to fail due to ethanol?

A

In the medulla, which regulates respiration and heart activity

42
Q

Most ethanol tests rely on what?

A

blood

43
Q

The medium for distributing alcohol throughout the body

A

blood

44
Q

Research confirms the direct proportional relationship of . . .

A

Blood alcohol concentration to brain alcohol concentration

Maximum Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) may not be reached until 2-3 hours after time of consumption

45
Q

Alcohol is readily absorbed through what?

A

stomach and small intestine

46
Q

What percentage of an oral dose is uniformly absorbed?

A

100%

47
Q

Ethanol transfers readily to what?

A

the bloodstream, portioning into all tissues, particularly those with a high water content

48
Q

The most common, preventable cause of mental retardation in children?

A

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

49
Q

Diagnostic criteria for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

A

Heavy maternal alcohol consumption

Pre and postnatal growth retardation

Craniofacial malformations (e.g., microcephaly)

Mental retardation

50
Q

Because of the toxicity of ethanol, excessive alcohol consumption can damage major organs such as . . .

A

Liver and heart

51
Q

Liver and Ethanol

A

results in cirrhosis or alcohol-induced hepatitis

52
Q

Heart and Ethanol

A

Results in alcoholic cardiomyopathy

53
Q

Ethanol also _______ the risk of stroke, hemorrhaging, as well as pancreatic problems

A

increases

54
Q

Effects of methanol

A

Most commonly from ingestion

Asymptomatic for 12 to 24 hours before:
Formic acidemia (low blood pH from formic acid)
Ocular toxicity
Coma
Death

55
Q

Main target of methanol

A

retinas

56
Q

Severe visual disturbances from ethanol develop between _____ to _____ hours after ingestion

A

18 to 48 hours

Can range from photophobia (light sensitivity) to complete blindness

57
Q

Effects of Ethylene Glycol

A

Mainly through ingestion or absorption (dermal)

58
Q

Acute poisoning entails . . .

A

Inebriation (dose dependent) and neurotoxic symptoms

12-24 hours: cardiopulmonary stage
Tachycardia to cardiac failure
Tachypnea to pulmonary edema

24-72 hours: Renal toxicity stage

Metabolic acidosis (low pH) can progress in all stages

59
Q

Ethylene glycol is distributed through what?

A

Total body water

60
Q

Ethylene glycol (EG) can cause _______ (calcium oxalate or hippuric acid) in the kidneys and brain

A

crystals

61
Q

Limited chronic toxicity potential, no evidence of carcinogenicity and does not affect ______

A

Reproductive processes

62
Q

** Alcohol’s movement through the circulatory system

A

After alcohol is ingested, it moves down the esophagus into the stomach– where about 20% of the alcohol is absorbed through the stomach lining into the portal vein

Remaining 80% is absorbed into the blood through the lining of the small intestines

Once in the blood, it is transported to the liver, heart, lungs, back to heart to be distributed to all parts of body

During period of alcohol absorption, alcohol concentration within arterial (oxygenated) blood will be considerably higher than in venous (deoxygenated) blood

This has ramifications for sampling for prosecution

63
Q

Liver begins the elimination process of 95-98% of the alcohol by _________

A

oxidation

64
Q

Enzymes involved in detoxification (biotransformation)

A

Alcohol dehydrogenase
Aldehyde dehydrogenase
Acetaldehyde and acetic acid

65
Q

Detoxification via excretion

A

Remaining 2-5% is excreted unchanged in the breath, urine, and perspiration

66
Q

Amount exhaled is in direct proportion to concentration of _______

A

Alcohol in the blood

67
Q

Elimination or ______ rate can vary by 30% between individuals, but average is 0.017% w/v (weight/volume) per hour

A

“burn off”

68
Q

Driving

A

complex process requiring psychomotor tasks, hand-eye coordination, muscle control, and cognitive tasks

69
Q

What causes slowing of nerve conduction resulting in slower reaction times?

A

Alcohol

70
Q

Identification methods for alcohol impairment

A

Smell
Bloodshot eyes
Unusual behavior
Demeanor: flat, dull, excited
Unusually large/small pupils
Unusual eye movements
Impaired motor skills

Presence of alcohol containers or drug paraphernalia

Clinical signs and symptoms will determine if the officer needs to do any tests for impairment

71
Q

Who performs Field Sobriety Tests?

A

Police officers

72
Q

Normally performed to ascertain the degree of the suspect’s physical impairment and whether or not an evidential test is justified

A

Field Sobriety Test

73
Q

These Field Sobriety Tests are psychophysical, which involves what?

A

The ability to think and do at the same time

74
Q

Physiological Field Sobriety Test

A

Horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN)

75
Q

Divided attention Field Sobriety Test

A

One-Leg Stand Test (OLST)
Walk and Turn Test (WATT)

76
Q

Most accurate field sobriety test?

A

Horizontal gaze nystagmus

77% accuracy rating in detecting blood alcohol content levels of .10% or higher

77
Q

What is nystagmus?

A

Involuntary jerking or bouncing of the eyeball

78
Q

Why does HGN involve?

A

Moving an object (usually a finger or pen) horizontally in front of the suspect

Usually about one foot away from the suspect’s face at eye-level

Jerking movements in the eye before the gaze reaches a 45-degree angle is indicative of a possible blood alcohol content level over .05%

79
Q

One-Leg Stand Test

A

When properly administered, 65% accurate in determining if a driver has a blood alcohol content level above .10%

80
Q

Proper stance for One-Leg Stand test?

A

Hands at side
One leg about six inches above the ground
Suspect to count upward starting at 1,000

81
Q

Signs of intoxication for One-Leg Stand test?

A

Swaying while balancing
Using the arms to keep balance
Hopping on the anchor foot in order to maintain balance
Resting the raised foot on the ground three or more times during the required thirty seconds

82
Q

Walk and Turn Test

A

68% accurate in identifying blood alcohol content levels of .10% and above

Putting one foot in front of the other in a straight line, toe touching the back of the last heel
Suspect takes nine steps, turns around and comes back
Hands must be at sides, watching the feet, and steps counted aloud

83
Q

Walk and Turn Test signs of intoxication

A

Inability to stay balanced while receiving instructions
Starting or stopping the test before indicated
Failure to touch heel-to-toe
Stepping off of the line
Using arms to balance
Improperly turning
Using the incorrect number of steps

84
Q

Breath tests

A

Roadside breath tests are done upon suspicion of toxicity

Preliminary testing and later tests will be performed for confirmation

85
Q

Most known roadside test

A

Breathalyzer

86
Q

Breathalyzer

A

A device for collecting and measuring the alcohol content of alveolar breath

87
Q

Breathalyzer test process

A

A subject blows into a mouthpiece
Trapped alveolar breath can be analyzed
Any alcohol present in the sample dissolves in a solution and is oxidized to acetic acid
A spectrophotometer takes a reading of acetic acid content
Indirectly determines the quantity of alcohol consumed (it is not quantitating alcohol but the amount of alcohol that has been oxidized)

88
Q

Infrared

A

Designed to minimize operator error and free of chemical reagents

Operates on infrared light absorption and/or fuel cells

Infrared light absorption uses filters selected to a wavelength of infrared light at which alcohol will absorb

89
Q

Gas Chromatography

A

Alcohol is separated from other volatiles in blood

Compares resultant alcohol peak area to ones obtained with known blood-alcohol standards

90
Q

Collection and preservation of blood

A

The collection of blood for analysis is done depending on certain factors

91
Q

What factor of collection and preservation of blood matters most to us?

A

Whether the suspect is alive or deceased

92
Q

Collection on a living suspect

A

Must be drawn by a qualified person (phlebotomy license)

Must use a sterile needle

Cleanse with a non-alcoholic disinfectant

Seal blood sample in an airtight container with an anticoagulant (usually EDTA, or a “purple top tube”

Place in refrigerated storage for delivery to toxicology

93
Q

Collection of postmortem samples

A

Requires added precautions

Must account for bacterial action so collect from several different body sites (each sample is kept in separate airtight containers with an anticoagulant and refrigerated; each must be labeled correctly)

Collect urine and vitreous humor fluids (both usually do not suffer from postmortem ethyl alcohol production to any significant extent)

94
Q
A

Forensic Science (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions