Chapter 9 Flashcards
Alcohol Absorption
absorbed into blood from stomach and small intestine; increases in concentration (concentration of arterial blood > concentration of venous blood)
Alcohol Transportation
Distributed uniformly throughout watery portions of the body (Hair, fat, and bones have low water content, Brain and cerebrospinal fluid have much more fluid)
Elimination : Oxidation
Takes place in the liver, Alcohol > acetic acid > CO2 and water
Elimination : Excretion
Alcohol is eliminated in an unchanged state, normally in breath and urine
Artery
carries blood away from heart
vein
carries blood too heart
capillaries
connect arteries and veins
How does alcohol get into blood?
Esophagus > Stomach > Blood
Excretion through breath
Alveoli: small sacs in lungs; air and other vapors are exchanged between breath and blood
Breathalyzer
measures alcohol content of pulmonary artery through alveolar breath
Breathalyzer: Infrared Light Absorption
Alcohol absorbs a select wavelength, causing the light to decrease in intensity, which is measured by a photoelectric detector
Breathalyzer: Fuel Cell Detector
Converts a fuel and oxidant into an electrical current; breath alcohol is fuel, atmospheric oxygen is the current; Alcohol is converted into acetic acid in the fuel cell
Field Sobriety Tests
preliminary tests; Horizontal-gaze nystagmus, walk and turn, one-leg stand
2 Types of Blood Analysis
Gas chromatography (Forensics) Oxidation of alcohol into acetaldehyde (Hospitals)
Blood Preservation
Addition of an anticoagulant: substance that prevents clotting of blood
Preservative: substance that prevents growth of microorganisms
Refrigeration and airtight container prevent decline in alcohol concentration
Legal Impairment Level
0.08
Schmeber vs. California
Operating a vehicle means you must submit to a test for alcohol if requested or lose your license for a designated period
Acid
a compound capable of donating a hydrogen ion to another compound
Base
a compound capable of accepting a hydrogen ion
pH Scale
0 acidic > 7 neutral > 14 basic
Role of Toxicologist
Analysis of alcohol, drugs, and poisons, deals with drugs and alcohol in different states within the body
Isolating drugs: 3 Types of Screening
Thin-layer chromatography
Gas chromatography
Immunoassay (marijuana)
Identifying drugs: confirmatory test
GC/MS
Significance of Drug Findings
Toxicologist can assess the toxicity and influence
DRE and Forensic Toxicologist
DRE: completes a Drug Influence Evaluation form to supply credible evidence that suspect was impaired and the nature of impairment
Forensic toxicologist determines the drug ingested, DRE determines impaired behavior of suspect
