Forensic Science
Toxicology Notes
11.20.08
Deaths investigated by Forensic Toxicologists:




Questions addressed by Toxicologist:
 Is a ________________________ present? If so,
___________________________________?
 How much of the substance is present? Is the concentration great
enough to __________________________________________________?
 How was__________________________________________________?
Properties of an Ideal Poison:




Potencies of Various Poisons:
Agent






Lethal Dose
General Classes of Poisons:
 Gases –
 Metallic Poisons –
 Non-volatile organics:
o
o
o
o










Carbon Monoxide (CO)
 Normal level of _________ in body (up to _______________________)
 Fatal level at autopsy considered to be _________________________
______________________________________.
 CO prevents ________________________________________________
____________________________________.
o Leads to _______________________
o CO victims have _________________________
Metal




Poisons
Most common:
Death within __________________
Can be given _________________________________________________
Symptoms:
o
o
Alkaloids
 Nitrogen-containing organic base
 Found in plants and fungi
o Strychnine most common
 Death from ________________________________
___________________________________________
 ___________________________________________
Pesticides
 Many of the pesticides we spray on our lawns, gardens, etc. are poisonous
 Growing in popularity
o
o
Toxicological Analysis of Tissues
A.
B.
C. Begin analysis as quickly as possible after death due to ___________
________________________________________________________
D. Look for traces of poison OR _________________________________
________________________________________________________
Samples collected at Autopsy
Fluids
Soft Tissue










Intentional Poisoning Trends
Perpetrator Profile









Gender



Top 5 Homicidal Poisons





Possible Symptoms
 __________________________ (opioids, organic phosphates)
 __________________________ (arsenic – smell of garlic)
 __________________________ (Thallium)
 __________________________ (Strychnine)
 ___________________________(Botulism)
 ___________________________ (depressants, hypnotics)
 ___________________________ (CO=_______, nitrites=________)
 ___________________________ (arsenic = __________________)
(dioxin=_________________)