Forensic Toxicology

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Forensic Toxicology

• Presented to you by
• Ms. Foxworth
• Mill Creek High 11

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I. What is Toxicology?

• Isolating, purifying, and identifying toxic
  chemicals, usually from biological materials.

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A. Occupations

• 1. Toxicologists job Responsible for detecting
  and identifying the presence of drugs and poisons
  in body fluids, tissues, and organs.
• 2. Forensic Toxicologist limited to matters
  that pertain to violations of criminal law

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Organic Analysis

• organic compound contains the element carbon.
  Exceptions are carbonates (CO3) and oxides (CO)

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Techniques or Tests

• Gas chromatography

• Pyrolysis (high temps)
• High Performance liquid (room temp)
• Thin layer (visualize with UV light)

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• Electrophoresis

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Spectrophotometry
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• UV spectrophotometry

• Infrared spectrophotometry

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Mass Spectrometry
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• Benefits of mass spectrometry
• No two substances produce the same fragmentation
  pattern!!!!

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Inorganic Analysis

• Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

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• Neutron Activation Analysis

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• Forensic uses of neutron activation analysis
• Provides a non-destructive method for identifying
  and quantitating trace elements.

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• X-Ray Diffraction

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• Forensic uses of x ray diffraction
• Characterizes trace elements present in metals,
  drugs, paint, soil, gunpowder residues, and hair