l8 Forensic Chemistry; Drugs Flashcards
psychological dependence
Conditioned use of a drug caused by underlying emotional needs.
physical dependence
-Need for a drug brought about by its regular use
-dependence characterized by withdrawal sickness drug use is stopped
-desire to avoid withdrawal symptoms causes addiction
narcotic
-analgesic or painkilling substance that depresses vital body fxns (blood pressure, pulse rate, breathing rate)
-regular administration produces physical dependence.
analgesic
substance that relieves pain by depressing action on central nervous system
hallucinogen
induces changes in mood, attitude, thought processes, and perceptions
depressant
-depresses fxns of central nervous system
-calm irritability and anxiety, may induce sleep.
stimulant
-increase alertness or activity
- followed by decrease in fatigue and loss of appetite
anabolic steroids
Steroids that promote muscle growth.
screening test
A test that is nonspecific and preliminary in nature.
confirmation
A single test that specifically identifies a substance.
microcrystalline tests
preliminary test to identify specific substances by the color and morphology of the crystals formed when the substance
is mixed with specific reagents
chromatography
Any of several analytical techniques for separating organic or carbon-containing mixtures into their components
spectrophotometry
An analytical method for identifying a substance by its selective
absorption of different wavelengths of light.
infrared
Invisible short frequencies of light before red in the visible spectrum.
what is a drug?
natural or synthetic substance that is used to produce
physiological or psychological effect in humans
most common source for narcotic drugs
opium from poppy
examples of narcotics? explain them
-Morphine: readily extracted from opium, used to synthesize heroin
-Heroin: “high” accompanied by drowsiness and a sense of well being generally last for three to four hours
-Codeine, present in opium, but usually prepared synthetically from morphine
examples of Synthetic Opiates Not Derived From Opium?
OxyContin
-treatment of chronic pain
-Oxycodone active ingredient
-same physiological effects on the body as opium narcotics
-NOT derived from opium or morphine
Methadone
-Pharmacologically related to heroin
-eliminate addict’s desire for heroin, producing minimal side effects
examples of depressants?
-alcohol
-anti-anxiety drugs
-barbiturates
-aerosols propellant
examples of stimulants?
-amphetamines
-cocaine
methampetamines and amphetamines are usually injected intravenously (in veins) what effect do they have on the body?
-initial “rush,” followed by an intense feeling of pleasure
-followed by period of exhaustion and prolonged period of depression
where does cocaine come from? crack?
-Extracted from leaves of Erythroxylin coca
- Crack is cocaine mixed with baking soda and water, then heated
examples of hallucinogens?
marijuana, mushrooms, LSD (acid), PCP, MDMA (ecstasy)
Which part of cannabis contains the LEAST amount of THC? the most?
seeds, resin
The challenge or difficulty of forensic drug identification
comes in ____________________________ that will
ensure a specific identification of a drug
selecting appropritate analytical procedures
what are the two tests in a ‘two-tiered’ system of drug identification?
screening test- nonspecific, preliminary, reduce the possibilities to a manageable number
confirmation test- single test that specifically identifies a substance
common form of preliminary analysis?
colour test- substances produce characteristic colours when exposed to certain chemicals
two popular confirmation tests?
-infrared spectrophotometry
-Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (separate compounds then weigh them)
explain how chromatography works?
-one phase is always made to move in one direction over a stationary or fixed phase
-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 qualitative and quantitative information of drugs?
qualitative- identity of material
quantitative- amount of material
