ROLES OF TOXICOLOGISTS TOXICOLOGY TOXICOLOGISTS 1 Detect and

TOXICOLOGISTS � 1. Detect and Identify Drugs and Poisons in body fluids, tissues and

TOXICOLOGISTS � 4. Measure the amount of alcohol or other abused drugs in the

Role of Toxicologist � 5. Must be ready to assess the toxicity of the

Roles of Toxicologist � 6. They collect and preserve evidence from the deceased. The

Roles of Toxicologist � 7. They collect and preserve evidence from the living. The

Roles of Toxicologist � 8. They must detect, isolate and identify a toxic substance.

Acids � An acid is a compound that donates H+ ions to another compound.

Bases �A base is a compound capable of accepting H+ ions. � Bases are

Roles of Toxicologist � 9. In addition to urine and blood, hair samples may

Roles of Toxicologist � As hair grows, the drug’s location on hair shaft becomes

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ROLES OF TOXICOLOGISTS TOXICOLOGY

TOXICOLOGISTS � 1. Detect and Identify Drugs and Poisons in body fluids, tissues and organs. � 2. Identify overdoses and drug use. � 3. Work in crime laboratories, medical examiners’ officers, hospital laboratories and health facilities.

TOXICOLOGISTS � 4. Measure the amount of alcohol or other abused drugs in the body for violations of criminal laws.

Role of Toxicologist � 5. Must be ready to assess the toxicity of the drug or poison. – the degree to which a substance (a toxin or poison) can harm humans or animals. � Toxicity

Roles of Toxicologist � 6. They collect and preserve evidence from the deceased. The following may be collected: � A. Blood � B. Organ Tissue � C. Vitreous Humor (liquid in eye) � D. Gastric Contents

Roles of Toxicologist � 7. They collect and preserve evidence from the living. The following may be collected: � A. Blood � B. Urine

Roles of Toxicologist � 8. They must detect, isolate and identify a toxic substance. � Drug extraction is based on the acidity and basicity of drugs.

Acids � An acid is a compound that donates H+ ions to another compound. � Acids are between a 0 -7 on the p. H scale. � The lower the number, the stronger the acid.

Bases �A base is a compound capable of accepting H+ ions. � Bases are between a 7 and 14 on the p. H scale. � The higher the number, the stronger the base.

Roles of Toxicologist � 9. In addition to urine and blood, hair samples may be collected. � Drugs become permantely entrapped in hair’s hardening protein structure.

Roles of Toxicologist � As hair grows, the drug’s location on hair shaft becomes a time marker for drug intake. � Drug use can be dated back to a period of weeks, months, or even years, depending on hair’s length.