Toxicology Poisons and Alcohol Toxicology Poisons and Alcohol

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Objectives You will understand: The danger of using alcohol. A quantitative approach to toxicology. Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 2 2

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Objectives, continued You will be able to: Discuss the connection of blood alcohol levels to the law, incapacity, and test results. Understand the vocabulary of poisons. Design and conduct scientific investigations. Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communications. Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations. Communicate and defend a scientific argument. Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 3 3

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Historical Perspective of Poisoners N Execution of Socrates — 339 BC, earliest recorded use of poison which involved an extract of hemlock. N Development of forensic Toxicology— 19 th century N Publication of Traite des poisons-1814. This was the first systematic approach to the study of the chemistry of poisons N Marsh Test-1836 James marsh developed a sensitive and reliable test that detected the presence of arsenic in body tissues and fluids. Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 4 4

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Historical Perspective of Poisoners N N Olympias—a famous Greek poisoner Locusta—personal poisoner of Emperor Nero Lucretia Borgia—father was Pope Alexander VI Madame Giulia Toffana—committed over 600 successful poisonings, including two popes N Hieronyma Spara—formed a society to teach women how to murder their husbands using poison N Madame de Brinvilliers and Catherine Deshayes—French poisoners AND many others through modern times. Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 5 5

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Common poisons used during prehistoric period N Hemlock- a plant related to carrots which contain an alkaloid similar to nicotine. N Monkshood N Belladonna N Toxic metal salts Arsenic is the most commonly used metal salt because it: a. leaves no trace b. it is easy to obtain and use c. the symptoms look like death by natural cause. Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 6 6

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Toxicology—the study of the adverse effects of chemicals or physical agents on living organisms Types: NEnvironmental—air, water, soil NConsumer—foods, cosmetics, drugs NMedical- clinical, forensic Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 7 7

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Applications of Forensic Toxicology Postmortem-medical examiner or coroner Criminal—motor vehicle accidents (MVA) Workplace—drug testing Sports—human and animal Environment—industrial, catastrophic, terrorism Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 8 8

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Toxicology Toxic substances may: NBe a cause of death NContribute to death NCause impairment or illness NExplain behavior Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 9 9

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol The Severity of the Problem “If all those buried in our cemeteries who were poisoned could raise their hands, we would probably be shocked by the numbers. ” —John Harris Trestrail, Criminal Poisoning Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 10 10

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol People of Historical Significance Mathieu Orfila N known as the father of forensic toxicology N published Traité des poisons in 1814 N His book described the first systematic approach to the study of the chemistry and physiological nature of Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company Chapterpoisons 8 11 11

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Aspects of Toxicity-Contributing factors N Dosage-Quantity N The chemical or physical form of the substance N N For example-Arsenic is a metal and is therefore insoluble in stomach acid, however compounds of arsenic are very poisonous. The mode of entry into the body-Absorbed, Ingested, inserted or injected Body weight and physiological conditions of the victim, including age and sex The time period of exposure The presence of other chemicals in the body or in the dose Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 12 12

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Lethal Dose LD 50 refers to the dose of a substance that kills half the test population, usually within four hours Expressed in milligrams of substance per kilogram of body weight Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 13 13

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Dosage Many substances which are harmful when taken in excess are actually beneficial in trace amounts. N Arsenic-research indicates that an absence of arsenic stunts growth N Arsenic is also used to treat a rare form of cancer N Botulin-most deadly poison known, 1 gram inhaled could kill more than 1 million people. N Botulin is also used by doctors to erase wrinkles and prevent migraines. Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 14 14

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Toxicity Classification LD 50 (rat, oral) Correlation to Ingestion by Toxicity 150 -lb Adult Human <1 mg/kg a taste to a drop extreme 1– 50 mg/kg to a teaspoon high 50– 500 mg/kg to an ounce moderate 500– 5, 000 mg/kg to a pint slight 5– 15 g/kg to a quart practically nontoxic Over 15 g/kg more than 1 quart relatively harmless Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 15 15

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol LD 50 (rat, oral) substance 4, 220 mg/kg Sodium bicarbonate 3, 000 mg/kg Sodium chloride 763 mg/kg Arsenic metal 192 mg/kg caffeine 53 mg/kg nicotine 48 mg/kg Arsenic chloride 8. 0 mg/kg Arsenic pentoxide 0. 000005 -0. 0005 mg/kg Botulin toxin Chapter 8 Toxicity Classificatio Correlation to Ingestion by 150 -lb Adult Human Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company Toxicity 16 16

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Measuring toxicity N Estimating lethal doses in humans based on those for lab mice, rats, or rabbits is very uncertain because resistance can be different among species. Example: Nicotine is lethal at the following doses for different species N N Humans=0. 9 mg/kg Dogs =9. 2 mg/kg Pigeons=75 mg/kg Rats=53 mg/kg Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 17 17

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Measuring toxicity N Toxins-substances that cause injury to the health of a living organism on contact or ingestion. The term is usually reserved for natural substances that kill rapidly in small quantities. N Chronic Exposure-continuing exposure to toxins over a long period of time which leads to chronic toxicity N Acute toxicity-effects of a toxin occurring almost immediately after an exposure Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 18 18

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Measuring toxicity N Synergism- Combined effect of substances exceeds the sum of their individual effects. Example: Consuming alcohol with certain antihistamines or sedatives causes the effect of each substance to be much stronger. N Antagonism- Combined effect of substances decreases the sum of their individual effects. Example: The drug butorphanol when taken in conjunction with morphine reduces its effect. N Chelating agent-an organic compound that complexes with a metal to form a ring. Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 19 19

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Symptoms of Various Types of Poisoning Type of Poison Symptom/Evidence Caustic poison (lye) Characteristic burns around the lips and mouth of victim Red or pink patches on the chest and thigh, unusually bright red lividity Black vomit Greenish-brown vomit Yellow vomit Coffee-brown vomit, onion or garlic odor Burnt almond odor Extreme diarrhea Nausea and vomiting, unconsciousness possibly blindness Carbon monoxide Sulfuric acid Hydrochloric acid Nitric acid Phosphorus Cyanide Arsenic, mercury Methyl (wood) or isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 20 20

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Federal Regulatory Agencies Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-deals with pharmaceuticals, food additives, and medical devices Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-Deals with agricultural and industrial chemicals released into the environment. Consumer Product Safety Commission-Concerned with toxins in consumer products Department of Transportation (DOT)-Deals with shipment of toxic chemicals Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-concerned with exposure to chemicals in the workplace Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 21 21

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Critical Information Form Common color Characteristic odor Solubility Taste Common sources Lethal dose Mechanism Possible methods of administration Time interval of onset of symptoms Chapter 8 Symptoms resulting from an acute exposure Symptoms resulting from chronic exposure Disease states mimicked by poisoning Notes relating to the victim Specimens from victim Analytical detection methods Known toxic levels Notes pertinent to analysis of poison List of cases in which poison was used —John Trestrail Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company from Criminal Poisoning 22 22

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol To Prove a Case Prove a crime was committed Motive Intent Access to poison Access to victim Death was homicidal Death was caused by poison Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 23 23

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Forensic Autopsy Look for: • Irritated tissues • Characteristic odors • Mees lines—single transverse white bands on nails Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 24 24

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Human Specimens for Analysis Blood Liver tissue Urine Brain tissue Vitreous humor of eyes Kidney tissue Bile Hair/nails Gastric contents Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 25 25

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol—Ethyl Alcohol (C 2 H 5 OH) N N N Most abused drug in America About 40 percent of all traffic deaths are alcohol-related Toxic—affecting the central nervous system, especially the brain Acts as a depressant Alcohol appears in blood within minutes of consumption; 30– 90 minutes for full absorption N Detoxification—about 90 percent in the liver N About 5 percent is excreted unchanged in breath, perspiration, and urine Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 26 26

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Rate of Absorption Depends on: N Amount of alcohol consumed N The alcohol content of the beverage N Time taken to consume it N Quantity and type of food present in the stomach N Physiology of the consumer Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 27 27

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol BAC: Blood Alcohol Content N Expressed as percent weight per volume of blood N Legal limit in all states is 0. 08 percent Parameters influencing BAC: • Body weight • Alcohol content • Number of beverages consumed • Time since consumption Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 28 28

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol BAC Calculation Burn-off rate of 0. 015 percent per hour, but can vary: Male BAC = 0. 071 (oz) (% alcohol) body weight Female BAC = 0. 085 (oz) (% alcohol) body weight Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 29 29

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Henry’s Law N When a volatile chemical is dissolved in a liquid and is brought to equilibrium with air, there is a fixed ratio between the concentration of the volatile compound in the air and its concentration in the liquid; this ratio is constant for a given temperature. N THEREFORE, the concentration of alcohol in breath is proportional to that in the blood. N This ratio of alcohol in the blood to alcohol in the alveolar air is approximately 2, 100 to 1. In other words, 1 ml of blood will contain nearly the same amount of alcohol as 2, 100 ml of breath. Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 30 30

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Field Tests Preliminary tests—used to determine the degree of suspect’s physical impairment and whether or not another test is justified Psychophysical tests—three basic tests: • Horizontal gaze nystagmus (HGN): follow a pen or small flashlight, tracking left to right with one’s eyes. In general, wavering at 45 degrees indicates 0. 10 BAC. • Nine-step walk and turn (WAT): comprehend and execute two or more simple instructions at one time • One-leg stand (OLS): maintain balance; comprehend and execute two or more simple instructions at one time Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 31 31

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol The Breathalyzer More practical in the field Collects and measures alcohol content of alveolar breath Breath sample mixes with 3 ml of 0. 025 percent K 2 Cr 2 O 7 in sulfuric acid and water: 2 K 2 Cr 2 O 7 +3 C 2 H 5 OH + 8 H 2 SO 4 2 Cr 2(SO 4)3 + 2 K 2 SO 4 + 3 CH 3 COOH + 11 H 2 O Potassium dichromate is yellow; as concentration decreases, its light absorption diminishes, so the breathalyzer indirectly measures alcohol concentration by measuring light absorption of potassium dichromate before and after the reaction with alcohol. Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 32 32

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Generalizations N During absorption, the concentration of alcohol in arterial blood is higher than in venous blood. N Breath tests reflect alcohol concentration in the pulmonary artery. N The breathalyzer also can react with acetone (as found in diabetics), acetaldehyde, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, and paraldehyde, but these are toxic and their presence means the person is in serious medical condition. N Breathalyzers now use an infrared light-absorption device with a digital readout. Prints out a card for a permanent record. Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 33 33

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol People in the News John Trestrail is a practicing toxicologist who has consulted on many criminal poisoning cases. He is the founder of the Center for the Study of Criminal Poisoning in Grand Rapids, Michigan, which has established an international database to receive and analyze reports of homicidal poisonings from around the world. He is also the director of De. Vos Children’s Hospital Regional Poison Center. In addition, he wrote the book Criminal Poisoning, used as a reference by law enforcement personnel, forensic scientists, and lawyers. Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 34 34

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol More Information Read more about forensic toxicology at tru. TV’s Crime Library: http: //www. crimelibrary. com/criminal_mind/forensics/toxicol ogy/2. html Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 35 35

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Follow question to “An invisible enemy” N How long prior to death did Todd start experiencing symptoms? N Under normal condition over exposure to poison kills immediately, why was there a delay? N What were symptoms he experienced? N What was the initial cause of death determined by the medical examiner? N What was the actual cause of death? Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 36 36

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol “ An Invisible Enemy” video question N What type of poison was used? N Why is it so difficult to detect this poison in food? N Was this a case of acute or chronic poisoning? N What was the possible motive? Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 37 37

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol “ An Invisible Enemy” video question N If you were a forensic witness for the prosecution, what pieces of evidence would you provide? Please reference information from video and give at least three pieces. N An what basis was Cynthia awarded a new trial? Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 38 38

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Toxic follow up questions N Eric Miller’s symptoms were similar to those of the __________ N What type of poison was used? N Was Eric’s case one of chronic or acute poisoning? Explain you answer based on information from the video Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 39 39

Toxicology: Poisons and Alcohol Toxic follow up questions N What were the possible motives cited for murder N What key pieces of evidence points to Ann Miller as the killer? N List three of Ann’s action that indicate that she was guilty of Eric’s murder. Chapter 8 Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company 40 40