Lecture 12: Forensic Toxicology Flashcards

1
Q

What is forensic toxicology?

A
  • Study how human/animals are affected by drugs and poisonous substances
  • Other disciplines: Analytical/clinical chem, pharmacology

Relation to medical or legal investigation of death, poisoning, and drug use

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

Who is considered the Father of Forensic Toxicology?

A

Mathieu Orfila

He published “Traite de Poisons,” the first scientific work on the detection of poisons.

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

What are the main responsibilities of a forensic toxicologist?

A
  • Detect and identify drugs and poisons in body fluids, tissues, and organs
  • Identify a drug overdose or monitor drug intake
  • Work in crime laboratories, medical examiners’ offices, and health facilities
  • Measure the amount of alcohol or other abused drugs for legal violations
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are some categories of overdose?

A
  • Analgesics
  • Antidepressants
  • Sedatives/hypnotics/antipsychotics
  • Cardiovascular drugs
  • Alcohols
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the lethal dose of cyanide?

A

2.8 mg/kg

Cyanide is a well-known anion poison.

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

What are the six main classes of common poisons?

A
  • Anions
  • Corrosive poisons
  • Gaseous and volatile poisons
  • Metal and metalloid poisons
  • Pesticides
  • Toxins
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Name two examples of corrosive poisons.

A
  • Concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
  • Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda, NaOH)

Upon contact, destroys body tissues, e.g. ingestion -> surface damage to mouth and intestinal tract

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

Name two examples of anions poisons.

A
  • F- : key ingredient in bleach
  • NO3: Blue Baby Syndrome
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Name two examples of gaseous and volatile poisons

A
  • Carbon monoxide (CO): Cherry-pink color
  • Hydrogen cyanide (HCN): Deeper red color
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Name examples of metal and metalloid poisons

A
  • Lead (Pb)
  • Arsenic (As)
  • Mercury (Hg)

Symptoms: Vomiting and diarrhoea (confused with Cholera)
Persists in body after death

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

Name the quote that suggests “the dose makes the poison”

A

“All things are poison and nothing is without poison;
only the dose makes a thing not a poison” (Paracelsus)

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

What is LD50?

A

The dose of a toxin which will kill 50% of a group of test subjects (Lethal Dose of 50%)

The lower the LD50, the more toxic the substance.

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

How is the toxicity of a substance determined?

A
  • Bioassay
  • Factors like health status, age, and accumulation affects toxicity
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is biotransformation?

A

The conversion of drugs and other toxins into metabolites or breakdown products.

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

Which organ is primarily responsible for the metabolism of drugs?

A

Liver

Liver cells (hepatocytes) are actively metabolizing cells.

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

What is the secondary organ responsible for metabolism of drugs?

A

Kidney

Susceptible to toxins because of large blood flow (25%)

17
Q

What is the role of forensic toxicology in Hong Kong?

A
  • Investigation of cause and manner of death
  • Analysis of opiate and non-opiate drugs in urine samples
  • Analysis of blood or urine samples from suspected impaired drivers
18
Q

What is Acetaminophen toxicity?

A
  • Too much ingested causes formation of NAPQI metabolite
  • Causes liver cell death
19
Q

Name the five modes of intake of drugs/poisons

A
  • Ingestion
  • Inhalation
  • Skin contact
  • Mucous member contact
  • Injection
20
Q

What is the purpose of drug analysis?

A
  • Identify the identity of the drug
  • Quantify the amount of the drug
21
Q

What are the two tiers of analysis for drugs and poisons?

A
  • Initial test: Narrow range, indicate presence of analytes
  • Confirmative test: For quantification

Confirmatory tests include GC-MS or LC-MS

22
Q

What type of test is usually used for the initial drug screening?

A

Color form tests

These tests are quick and specific.

23
Q

What is ELISA?

A

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

It is a common immunoassay technique used for the analysis of body fluids.

24
Q

True or False: The dose makes the poison.

A

True

This concept was famously articulated by Paracelsus.

25
Q

Fill in the blank: The main index used in most toxicology studies is _____

26
Q

What is the significance of NAPQI formation in alcoholics?

A

Alcoholics have enhanced P450 oxidase activity, increasing the amount of NAPQI formation.

27
Q

What is the role of kidneys in metabolism?

A

They carry out metabolism of some drugs and may convert non-toxic substances to toxic metabolites.

28
Q

What is the main goal of confirmatory testing in drug analysis?

A

To quantify the amount of the drug.