CRIM 355 Chapter Notes - Chapter 12: Forensic Toxicology, Alcohol Dehydrogenase, Central Nervous System
18 Apr 2017
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Toxicologists detect and identify drugs + poisons in body fluids, tissues, organs. Forensic toxicologists" role is limited to matters that pertain to violations of criminal law. Handles numerous requests relating to the determination of the presence of alcohol in the body. Assist in establishing the true cause of death. Clue to clinical history when subject is unable/unwilling to do so. Need to know how a drug metabolizes itself in the body. Low doses = inhibit mental processes of judgment, memory and concentration, expansive, overconfident. Moderate doses = effects coordination, inhibits though processes, speech patterns, slows reaction times. High doses = highly irritable, emotional, angry, may cry easily. Primary objective of forensic toxicology: to detect and isolate drugs in the body so that their influence on human behavior can be determined. Pioneered the development of instruments that measure the presence and concentration of alcohol in individuals suspected of driving while under its influence.
