Based on the textbook, “Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science” by Saperstein with additional information from various websites, this article discusses the basics about Toxicology.
First toxicology was defined in this article as the study of toxins whether natural or synthetic. Since toxins are being discussed in this article, drugs are naturally mentioned. Drugs can also be considered toxic because there have been cases in the United States (Chicago area) that some of these drugs have been tampered leading to death. To prevent further tampering of these products, current types of protective packaging are being used by pharmaceutical companies.
Drugs are discussed more intensively in this article , stating that they can cause physiological or psychological effects due to the fact that they can affect the function and/ or function of living tissue of humans due to chemical reactions. Drugs are also classified as legal or illegal. They are controlled by law because excessive use of these may cause illness, or even death. To further monitor their effects, pharmaceutical companies are required to send their new drugs to labs for analysis.
Since drugs are sent to laboratories for further experiments, forensic analyses, using a wide range of microscopes like the stereoscopic microscope are also conducted on them. Forensic analyses uses organic and inorganic techniques. Examples of these techniques are color tests, chromatography (a means of separating and identifying organic components), and Immunoassay tests. Here, through these various techniques with the use of microscopes, one can identify mixtures of illicit drugs. It is important to document the findings from these techniques using microscopes as forensic evidence for future reference and legal analysis maintaining the “Chain of Custody”.
How are new drugs identified? They are identified at this point by a drug recognition expert. This expert uses various microscopes to conduct more recognition analyses on these drugs. Some of the microscopes that can be used in this procedure are the compound microscope, comparison microscope, stereoscopic microscopes, polarizing microscope, microspectrophotometer, and the Scanning electron microscope.
Another topic included is forensic technology which involves the analysis of alcohol and drugs. It is also said that the over use of these drugs can cause drug dependence and may form a dangerous habit of abusing their intended use which is for medical purposes. With the help of this identification expert and the use of microscopes like the stereoscopic microscopes, the law classifies these dangerous drugs such as Narcotic( drugs that relieve pain by depressing the central nervous system), Hallucinogenic (drugs that alter one’s auditory/ visual sensations and moods from what is normal), Depressant (drugs that depress the central nervous system), Stimulant (drugs that bring about a high euphoric feeling), or Anabolic Steroidscause (drugs that cause liver cancer, masculinize females and diminish sex drive in males). To prevent the possible abuse of these drugs due to their addictive nature and whether or not they have medicinal value. Criminal penalties are brought upon by the law to those who do not use these drugs in the manner they intended to.
May Be Culprits in Indoor Air Problems Read more on this article