First of all, I have selected toxicology for my Bytes assignment to learn about an
area I don’t really have much knowledge about. Also I wanted to learn deeply into
this field of science and become more aware of the procedures taken from a court by
the analysis of toxicology.
Forensic toxicology deals with the investigation of toxic substances, environmental
chemicals or poisonous products. Toxicology combines the elements of biology,
chemistry and other important fundamentals to help us understand the harmful
effects of chemicals on living organisms. Moreover, toxicology provides examination
of biological specimens- primarily blood and urine- for the presence or absence of
alcohol and other drugs, and interpret those findings for court.
Moreover, Toxicology is one of the important fields of Forensic Science. Since
forensic science is often concerned with determining the basis of death and
investigations frequently are concerned with the influence and effects of toxins.
Therefore Toxicology can help find why and how questions
of a particular death due to poisons or harmful
chemicals/substances.
Toxicologists use a variety of analytical instruments and
techniques to establish a connection or unravel a crime.
Some of the instruments and techniques are…
Solid Phase Extraction
Solid-phase extraction (SPE) is
an extraction method that uses
a solid phase and a liquid phase to isolate one, or one
type, of analyte from a solution. It is usually used to
clean up a sample before using a chromatographic or
other logical method to estimate the amount of analyte(s)
in the sample. The general procedure is to load a
solution onto the SPE phase, wash away unwanted
components, and then wash off the desired analytes with another solvent into a
collection tube.
Liquid Chromatography
Liquid chromatography (LC) is a chromatographic technique that is useful for
separating ions or molecules that are dissolved in a solvent. If the sample solution is
in contact with a second solid or liquid phase, the different solutes will interact with
the other phase due to differences in
adsorption, ion-exchange, partitioning, or
size. These differences allow the mixture
components to be separated from each
other by using these differences to
determine the transferring time of the
solutes through a column.
To become a toxicologist, you will need to earn a medical degree or earn a
bachelor's degree in science and study for a minimum of two years more. The two
additional years of study beyond your bachelor's degree, if you do not hold a medical
degree, will need to focus as much as possible on toxicology training. Coursework
should include classes and training in chemistry, biochemistry, environmental
science and pharmacology. You also will need to gain strong skills in written and oral
communication as well as basic but solid computer skills, because toxicologists
frequently use computer applications to perform their job duties.
The Death of Marilyn Monroe
On August 4th 1962 the world learned of Marilyn Monroe’s death. She was
discovered by her housekeeper in her bedroom, nude and facedown, on her bed.
She died from an overdose of Nembutal and chloral hydrate and her death was
resulted as suicide or murder.
Background
Marilyn Monroe was an all-American success story.
She rose from the ranks of orphan to onscreen idol.
She was married to a sports legend, a literary giant,
and had affairs with both John and Bobby Kennedy.
She had everything, yet according to her friends,
was scared for her life and had depression.
On the night of her death, she said good night to her
housekeeper and took a telephone with a long cord
into her bedroom, closing the door behind her, never
opening it again. However, when psychological analysis was done as well as a
toxicological screening, these tests suggested that she fit the profile for frequent
suicidal depression, even though her life was a success and many positive events
where going on in her life. Very controversially, accidental death was ruled out,
although the drugs used seemed obvious, since the packages were on her
nightstand. While there were a number of conspiracy theories, the physical evidence
suggests accidental death was the only way to explain the autopsy results.
Murder or Suicide?
Although the case was closed, suggesting that is was an accidental death. However,
many interesting and non-explained phenomena aren’t answered and revealed. Here
are some of the strange things about her suicide.
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There was no suicide note ever recovered.
How could Marilyn swallow Nembutal tablets when no water glass was found
on her nightstand and the plumbing system in the bathroom was turned off?
Why did it take four hours after the discovery of her death to inform police and
why are there so many difference as to what happened during that time by so
many people?
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Her autopsy results showed no trace or remains of any tablets in her stomach.
Also toxicology studies on these organs were never done.
She had a fresh bruise on her back that couldn’t be ruled out as an act of
violence.
The autopsy showed a purple discoloration of the large intestine, suggesting
that drugs may have been introduced here rather than being swallowed.
Peter Lawford, the Kennedy’s brother-in-law stated, "Marilyn took her last big
enema".
Marilyn’s psychiatrist, in response to a reporter’s question concerning her
death stated, " I can’t explain myself or defend myself without revealing things
that I don’t want to reveal…. because I can’t tell the whole story. Listen.... talk
to Bobby Kennedy."
She kept a diary and had let her close friends see it but after her death the
diary mysteriously vanished.
Even today, Marilyn Moore’s suicide is a mystery to be uncovered. However, the
sealing of her file by the government, the destruction and loss of the many records
during that time and the death of many of the people involved, leave us with
conspiracy theories and suggestions only. Unless a lost piece of evidence is found,
but now a guess is all that we have.
I believe toxicology gives a reliable information and proof for a court case because
toxicology tests for the present or absence of harmful chemicals, which can be the
cause of the crime. Moreover, toxicology can verify how much the substance was
administrated into the bloodstream and when the chemical was taken. Also the
results of any tests are carefully checked, before it gets to court. Therefore in a court
case, toxicology will provide accurate information.
Bibliography
 http://elchem.kaist.ac.kr/vt/chem-ed/sep/lc/lc.htm- by Brian M. Retrieved on
September the 2nd
 http://toxicology.tamu.edu/whatistox.shtml Texas A&M University
(interdisciplinary Faculty of Toxicology) Retrieved on September 3 rd
 http://www.toxicologysource.com/whatistoxicology.html Toxicology source By
Thomas F. Schrager, Ph.D. Retrieved on September 5th
 http://www.exploreforensics.co.uk/forensic-toxicology.html Explore Forensic
Retrieved on September 9th