Drugs andPoisons In

1. Toxicology: Drugs and Poisons Forensic Science

2 Toxicology Toxicology - Mix of Chemistry and Physiology that deals with drugs, poisons, and other toxic substances. Began in 1775 when Swedish chemist Karl Scheele discovered a way to prove arsenic was the culprit in a suspicious death.

3 Poisons ANY substance that when taken in sufficient quantities causes a harmful or deadly reaction. (Sufficient quantities how much enters the body, over what period of time) . Intoxicant requires an ingestion of large quantities before it is lethal Ex: Carbon Monoxide, Alcohol, heavy metals (mercury, lead, selenium) 2. True Poison requires only a tiny amount - Ex: Cyanide

4 The Forensic Toxicologist Finds toxins and determines the likely effect on the individual who ingested or came in contact with it. Examples: Inebriation in an automobile accident or industrial accident Whether a person died from poison or from natural cause? Whether drugs played a role in a perpetrator’s actions or in seizures or coma?...