Poison Analysis

1) What is the definition of poison?

·         A substance that, when introduced into or absorbed by a living organism, causes death or injury, esp. one that kills by rapid action.

2) Common poison sources

·         Gases

·         Anti-freeze

·         Food

·         Pesticides

·         Drinks

·         Medication

·         Venom

·         Cyanide

·         Plants

·         Metals

·         Sugar

·         Household chemicals

·         Iodine

3) How do crime labs handle poison cases? What are some signs of poisoning?

·         Scientists in labs can use several different chemicals and indicators to identify different types of poisons, such as:

o   KSCN to test for iron

o   KI to test for lead

o   Acid to test for Chromate

o   FE⁺³ to test for Cyanide

o   Starch to test for Iodine

·         Some signs of poisoning are:

o   Pupil dilation

o   Drooling

o   Dry Mouth

o   Altered heart rate

o   Altered breathing rate

o   Hyperactivity

o   Drowsiness

o   Rashes

o   Confusion

o   Hallucinations

o   Cardiac arrest

Poison Identification Activity

1. Metals- if metals are ingested or put into the bloodstream it can be fatal to the recipient.

	.5 M KSCN	KI	Acid
1	Negative	Positive for Lead	Negative
2	Positive for Iron	Negative	Negative
3	Negative	Negative	Negative

2. Sugar- sugar can be very harmful especially if the person has diabetes.

	1	2	3
Benedict Solution	Negative	Negative	Negative

3. Ammonia- is a household chemical that can make someone go unconscious and when combined with bleach inhaling would be fatal.

	Odor	pH less > 7	PHTH is purple/pink
1	Positive	Positive(11)	Positive
2	Negative	Positive (8.5)	Negative
3	Negative	Positive (8.5)	Negative

4. Aspirin- if a large amount of aspirin is ingested the acid in the medicine can cause great harm to the body possibly ending in overdose.

	pH <7	BTB is yellow
1	Positive (5)	Negative
2	Positive (6)	Negative
3	Positive (2)	Positive

 

5. Cyanide- is an odorless poison that when ingested is fatal.

	Turns red w/ FE+3
1	Negative
2	Negative
3	Positive

6. Iodine- can be harmful to the body especially for people with thyroid problems.

 

	Blue w/ Starch
1	Negative
2	Negative
3	Positive

Drug Analysis

Cocaine:

 1. Chemical Name: Benzoylmethylacgoine

 2. Chemical Formula: C₁₇H₂₁NO₄

 3. pH: 4.5

 4. Biochemical Tests: Cocaine can stay in urine and blood for up to 5 days but is detectable in hair for up to 90 days making it easier for a forensic analyst to tell if someone has used the drug in the past three months with just a hair sample.

LSD:

1. Chemical Name:  Lysergic acid diethylamide

2. Chemical Formula: C₂₀H₂₅N₃O

3. pH: 4

4. Biochemical Tests: LSD is detectable in urine and blood and can be detected by drug screening procedures as long as it is stored in low temperatures and no light because the drug is very fragile and unstable in heat, light, and alkaline conditions. LSD can also be detectable in urine for up to 24 hours and in blood for 2 to 4 days.

Drug analysis activity:

In class we had six unidentified substances that we had to test with a cocaine detection reagent, an LSD detection reagent, and pH indicator test strips to see if they contain LSD or cocaine. These are the results.

Drug	pH	Cocaine reagent(blue)	LSD Reagent(yellow)
1	6	Positive	Negative
2	9	Positive	Negative
3	3	Negative	Positive
4	7	Positive	Negative
5	6	Negative	Negative
6	5	Negative	Positive