Page 292 - Academic Press Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology 3rd BioTechnology

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Encyclopedia of Physical Science and Technology EN016H-959 August 1, 2001 11:6

Toxicology in Forensic Science

Olaf H. Drummer
Monash University

I. Applications of Forensic Toxicology
II. Specimens
III. Chain of Custody
IV. What Chemicals Should Be Targeted?
V. Techniques Used
VI. Initial Tests and Confirmation
VII. Quality Assurance and Validation
VIII. Reports
IX. Interpretation of Toxicological Results
X. Artefacts in Analysis
XI. Court Testimony and Expertise

GLOSSARY physical items such as drug powders, tablets, syringes,
etc.
Amphetamines A class of drugs that act as powerful Forensic toxicology The application of toxicology to the
stimulants with actions similar to norepinephrine. needs of the law.
Benzodiazepines A class of over 50 drugs that act as mi- Initial testing The use of screening tests to establish the
nor tranquilizers and hypnotics and include diazepam, likely presence of drugs or drug classes in a sample.
temazepam, flunitrazepam, oxazepam, and alprazolam Opioids A class of drugs related to morphine, often also
etc. known as opiates.
Central nervous system (CNS) The part of the body in-
cluding the brain and spinal cord.
Confirmatory testing The use of a second test to con- TOXICOLOGY in the context of forensic science deals
firm the intial test such that there is no doubt over the with the detection of drugs and other chemicals in situa-
presence of the substance in the sample. tions involving legal proceedings. This discipline is best
Ethical drugs Drugs that are available by prescription or called forensic toxicology; however, the term analytical
legally over the counter. toxicology is also often applied to this subspecialty of tox-
Exhibits Items brought to a laboratory that form part icology. A forensic toxicologist is concerned with the de-
of the evidence in a case; can be tissue specimens or tection of drugs or poisons in samples and is capable of

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