Name that drug
This illegal opioid, derived from morphine, is commonly found as a white or brown powder and is highly addictive.
What is heroin?
This common presumptive test uses formaldehyde and sulfuric acid to produce color changes, helping identify opiates and amphetamines.
What is the Marquis Test?
This measurement expresses the amount of alcohol in a person’s bloodstream as a percentage.
What is blood alcohol concentration?
This analytical technique identifies substances by measuring the mass-to-charge ratio of their ions.
What is mass spectrometry?
This former NFL player was convicted of murder after investigators used toxicology evidence along with other forensic findings in his trial, which became one of the most publicized cases of the 1990s.
Who is O.J. Simpson?
Often prescribed for anxiety and insomnia, this drug includes brands like Xanax and Valium and slows central nervous system activity.
What are benzodiazepines?
A three-step color test that turns blue in the presence of cocaine, often used as a presumptive field test by law enforcement.
What is the Scott Test?
In most U.S. states, this BAC level is the legal limit for driving for adults over 21.
What is 0.08%?
This step in mass spectrometry involves converting sample molecules into charged particles so they can be analyzed.
What is ionization?
In this high-profile 2009 death investigation, toxicology reports confirmed lethal levels of propofol and other sedatives in a pop star’s system.
Who is Michael Jackson?
This powerful stimulant can appear as a white crystalline powder or clear crystals and greatly increases energy and alertness.
What is methamphetamine?
This chemical test produces a purple color when marijuana is present and involves adding chloroform to confirm the result.
What is the Duquenois-Levine test?
the amount of dissolved gas in a liquid is proportional to its partial pressure above the liquid
What is Henry's Law?
This component of a mass spectrometer separates ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio before detection.
What is a mass analyzer?
This actor’s 2014 death led to toxicology findings showing multiple substances, including heroin and cocaine, contributing to overdose.
Who is Philip Seymour Hoffman?
Also known as “ecstasy” or “molly,” this synthetic drug is popular in party scenes and enhances mood and empathy.
What is MDMA?
Used to detect indole compounds like LSD, this test produces a purple or blue color when the substance is present.
What is the Van Urk test?
This formula is used in forensic toxicology to estimate a person’s blood alcohol concentration based on alcohol consumed, body weight, and a distribution factor.
What is the Widmark formula?
This output of a mass spectrometer displays ion signals as peaks, with each peak corresponding to a specific mass-to-charge ratio of a compound fragment.
What is a mass spectrum?
This rapper and singer’s 2019 death revealed a toxicology report showing high levels of oxycodone and codeine, contributing to renewed attention on opioid misuse in the music industry.
Who is Mac Miller?
This lab-made drug, often taken on blotter paper, is known for causing intense visual and sensory distortions.
What is LSD?
Instead of using chemicals, this method relies on microscopic analysis of plant structures to identify substances like cannabis.
What is botanical examination?
In forensic toxicology, this type of blood typically shows a higher alcohol concentration shortly after drinking because it carries alcohol directly from the digestive system to the brain, compared to its counterpart.
What is arterial blood?
This process in mass spectrometry involves breaking ionized molecules into smaller fragments, creating a pattern that helps forensic toxicologists identify unknown substances.
What is fragmentation?
This 2017 high-profile death of a celebrity chef was ruled a suicide, with toxicology reports showing no drugs or alcohol involved, highlighting how toxicology can also rule out substance influence in death investigations.
Who is Anthony Bourdain?