Chapter 9 - DrugsHonors Forensic Science

I. Drug Dependence•A. Psychological Dependence

▫i. The conditioned use of a drug caused by underlying emotional needs

b. Physical dependence•i. Physiological need for a drug that has

been brought about by its regular use

•Ii. Characterized by withdrawal sickness when administration of drug is abruptly stopped

II. Narcotic Drugs•A. Narcotic = analgesic or pain-killing

substance that depresses vital body functions

▫i. From Greek word “narkotikos” which implies a state of lethargy or sluggishness

▫Ii. Relieve pain or induce sleep

•Iii. Repeated use will produce physical Dependence•Iv. Are analgesics so relieve pain by exerting a depressing action on central nervous system

•V. Examples: morphine, codeine, heroin

•Vi. Methadone = synthetic opiate which reduces desire for heroin with minimal side effects

III. Depressants•A. depress the central nervous system

▫i. Depressant = a substance used to depress the functions of the central nervous system. They calm irritability and may induce sleep.

b. Alcohol (Ethyl alcohol)

•i. Reactions vary with user, but range from inhibited mental processes, slowed reaction times, personality changes, death, etc.

•Ii. Most widely used and abused drug

C. Barbituates•i. Downers•Ii. They relax, create a feeling of well-

being and produce sleep•Iii. Can produce physical and

psychological dependence•Iv. Ex. Quaaludes – a sedative and muscle

relaxer•V. Often used in medicine and usually

taken as a pill

d. tranquilizers•i. Differ from barbituates in their action

on central nervous system

•Ii. They produce tranquility without impairment of high-thinking faculties or inducement of sleep

•Iii. Can cause physical and psychological dependence

•Iv. Ex. Valium

e. “Glue” sniffing•i. Sniffing volatile solvents•Ii. Are central nervous system

depressants•Iii. Feeling of exhiliration and euphoria

combined with impairment of function•Iv. Is very dangerous but not known if

actually physically addictive

IV. stimulants•A. Stimulate central nervous system

•B. Substance taken to increase alertness or activity

c. Different forms•i. Methamphetamine and crystal meth

▫1. very prevalent today▫2. causes remarkable physical damage▫3. can be manufactured easily

ii. Diet drugs•1. commonly used•2. many are legally obtained•3. ex. Phen-fen; dexatrim, etc•4. some have permanent adverse effects

on the body, especially the heart

•D. Many are physically and psychologically addictive

•E. Depression may set in after stimulant wears off

f. cocaine•i. Extracted from leaves of cocoa plant•Ii. Was once used as anesthetic•Iii. Widely used, physically and psychologically addictive

•Iv. Generates confidence, increased alertness

•V. Sigmund Freud experimented with•Vi. Crack = cocaine mixed with baking soda and water, then heated, dried, and broken into chunks and smoked

V. Hallucinogens•A. Drugs that cause marked alterations in

normal thought processes, perceptions and moods

b. Marijuana•i. From the Cannibis plant

▫1. secretes a sticky resin = hashish▫2. has been used legally and illegally for 3000 years▫3. grows wild – 5-15 feet tall

•4. chemical = THC or tetrahydrocannibinol. Amount varies among plants and within one plant.▫A. Potency depends on its form▫B. Highest to lowest = resin, flowers,

leaves, stems, roots, and seeds

▫5. May have medicinal uses such as glaucoma, lessen nausea caused by anti-cancer drugs

c. Other Hallucinogens•i. LSD – Lysergic acid diethylamide

▫1. synthesized from lysergic acid derived from ergot which is a type of fungus that attaches to certain grasses and grains

▫2. described by chemist Hoffman in 1943 after he accidentally ingested some

▫3. question of whether has impact of chromosomes of offspring

ii. MDMA - Ecstasy

•1. originally patented as an appetite suppressant

•2. some severe adverse reactions

iii. PCP - Phenocyclidine•

•1. synthesized•2. often mixed with other drugs•3. sold as angel dust•4. variety of responses, many violent and

aggressive

•Iv. Psilocybin = mushrooms

VI. Anabolic Steroids•A. Synthetic compounds that promote

muscle growth

•B. Are chemically related to male hormone, testosterone

•C. Harmful physical side effects and may affect mood and/or behavior

VII. Drug Control LAws•A. Controlled Substance Act

▫i. 5 schedules of classification based on drugs potential for abuse, potential for physical and psychological dependence, and medical value

▫Ii. Penalties for possession, use, sale, etc. are related to classification schedule

VIII. Drug Identification•A. Difficulty lies in selecting the correct

analytical procedures to allow for identification’

•B. First, employ screening tests which are non-specific and preliminary in nature

•C. Once the number of possibilities has been substantially reduced, the second phase of the analysis must be devoted to pin-pointing and confirming drug’s identity

•D. Confirmation = a single test that specifically identifies a substance

e. Tests•i. Color tests

▫1. marquis = opium derivatives; purple▫2. Dillie-Koppanyi – barbituates; violet

blue▫3. Duquenois-Levine – marijuana; purple▫4. Van Urk – LSD; blue-purple▫5. Scott Test – cocaine; blue-pink to blue

ii. Microcystalline Tests•1. used to identify specific substances by the color and morphology of the crystals formed when the substance is mixed with reagents

iii. CHromatography•1. requires comparison between

questioned and known drugs•2. analyst must have some idea as to the

identity of illicit material before using the test

iv. Spectrophotometry•1. selective absoprtion of light by drugs

in the ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) regions of the electromagnetic spectrum

•2. can specifically identify a substance

v. Mass spectrophotometry•1. combines gas chromatography and

mass spectrophotometer

•2. allows examiner to separate components of complex drug mixture and unequivocally identify each substance present in the mixture

vi. Identification of marijuana•1. possesses botanical features•2. cystolithic hairs on leaves•3. color test•4. thin layer chromatography

IX. Collection and Preservation of Drug Evidence

•A. Evidence should be properly packaged, and labeled

•B. Prevent loss of evidence and cross-contamination

•C. Supply background information