FIVS 123 Lecture Notes - Lecture 20: Acetaldehyde, French Fries, Nystagmus

• School: Texas A&M University
• Department: Forensic & Inv Science
• Course: FIVS 123
• Professor: Kevin M.Heinz

Document Summary

Pharmacology involves the administration of drugs, absorption into the body, actions and interactions, metabolism, and elimination. Forensic toxicologists measure the concentrations of drugs and poisons in various fluids and substances, such as blood, urine, and breath from both living (drunk driving) and dead persons (suspected overdose or poising) When a person exhibits the magnified effects of drugs taken in combination. Toxicologists and pathologists must be careful in assessing the role of drugs in a death; synergism must be ruled out before drug levels are dismissed as causing the death. Occurs in people who continually abuse the same drug. Increasing the doses are required to maintain the same effect as the original dose. When large amounts are found in a victim, toxicologists must investigate the victim"s drug abuse history before making any conclusions about the role of drugs may have played in the death. Ethanol the active ingredient in all liquor, wine, and beer, is a central nervous system depressant.