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Lecture Outline
Definition of Forensic ToxicologyHistory Forensic Science in CanadaModernization of forensic toxicologyRecent history
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Forensic Toxicology
The study and practice of the application of toxicology to the
purposes of the law
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Quincy, M.E. (1976-1983)
Jack Klugman as Quincy
Robert Ito as Sam Fujiyama
John S. Ragin as Dr. Robert Asten
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CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
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Ancient Toxicologists
Herbalists of the ancient past developed a broad knowledge of the benefits and detriments of plants, animal and insect bites and metals
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Ancient Toxicologists
Ancient poisons discovered early
Cyanide in peach pits known to EgyptiansHemlock a popular means of execution in
GreeceBelladona of ancient Sumeria
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Ancient Toxicologists
Dioscorides (c. 40-90 AD) described over 600 plants and plant extracts in his writings
Author of De Materia Medica – On Medical Matters
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Foundation of Toxicology
PARACELSUS(c. 1493-1541)
“What is there that is not poison? All things are poison and nothing without
poison. Solely the dose determines that a thing is not
poison”
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Definition - Poison
Since poisons were typically slipped into a beverage, the term was initially applied to a drink prepared with poison and then became more broad to include all poisons, regardless of route of administration.
“ Any substance which, when ingested, inhaled absorbed or when applied to injected into or developed within the body in relatively small amounts, by its chemical action causes damage to structure or disturbance to function”
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Poison
“Coward’s weapon”
administered by stealthmay be chronically administeredcarefully planned means of murder
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Toxicologic Forensic Investigation
Forensic Toxicology evolved with the advent of criminal investigation
Prior to the advent of modern prescribed medicines, toxicology was primarily concerned with poisonings
Many poisoners throughout history were caught usually after failing at their poisoning attempt
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ArsenicItalian woman of the 17th century, ToffanaInvented “Aqua della Toffanina” a
poisonous liquid containing arsenicSold to would be murderers along with
instructions as to its poisonous propertiesToffana reputed to have been responsible
for as many as 600 killingsExecuted in Naples in 1709
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Arsenic“Inheritance Powder”Odourless, tasteless and readily availableSymptoms of poisoning non-descript
– Vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains– Middle Ages Cholera– Present day Guillian Barré Syndrome
A technique for detecting arsenic became a necessity – Marsh Test (1836)
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Foundation of Modern Forensic Toxicology
Understanding of Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology arise in 1800’s
Isolation of morphine from opium by Serturner in 1805
Precipitation tests for alkaloids Winckler 1830
Reinsch test for arsenic in 1841
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First Successful Toxicologic Investigation
The father of forensic toxicologyProfessor Orfila (Chair of Legal Medicine
at Sorbonne)Traite des Poisons ou Toxicologie Generale
(1814) – translated to English 1816Identified arsenic & other poisonsEvidence sent Madame LaFarge to the
guillotine in 1840.
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Marie LafargeAspiring aristocrat married to failed businessmanMurder by chronic arsenic poisoning
- Arsenic-laced cake while husband away on business- Continous “pampering” with arsenic-laced truffles- Charles Lafarge diagnosed with cholera death
Mathieu Orfila– Using technique of Marsh, detected arsenic in a pill
box, a sample of eggnog and stomach and other organs of C. Lafarge
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Growth of Forensic Toxicology
Treatise on Poisons in Relation to Medical Jurisprudence, Physiology, and the practice of Physic-Robert Christison M.D. Edinburgh, 1829
Manual of Practical Toxicology (condensed version by Taylor in the US) 1845
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Canadian Forensic Toxicology
First recorded case
Prof Henry Holmes Croft, Kings College Toronto
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Canadian Forensic Toxicology
analyses the stomach contents of a decedent, Sarah King which contained 11 grains of arsenic
Husband Dr. Henry King of Coburg, On is convicted due to testimony of Prof. Croft.
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William Hodson Ellis
1867 – Became an assistant to Prof. Croft
1877 – Testified in a rape-murder trial regarding the detection of blood stains on trousers
1897 – Microscopic examination of hair
1904 – Serological tests for blood
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L. Joslyn Rogers
1908 – assistant to Ellis Professor of Analytical
Chemistry at U of T (1914-1954)
Introduced alcohol to courts in Ontario - 1932
+ expanded toxicology, fire investigations, firearms examinations
Worked at the CFS until his death in 1967
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William Derôme
PathologistStudied legal medicine in France in 1909In 1914, spearheaded the opening of the
first forensic laboratory in all of N. America, the “Laboratoire de Recherches Médico-Légales”
Would later become the “Laboratoire de sciences judiciares et de mêdecin légale” in Montreal, PQ
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Forensic Pathology
In 1923 a small group of surgeons at the Old Grace Hospital in Toronto perform most of the medico-legal autopsies for the province of Ontario
Physicians include Drs. C. Noble Sharpe and E.R. Frankish
All work without remuneration
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Dr. E. R. Frankish
Studied under Derome
Formed the Attorney General’s Medico-Legal laboratory in Ontario in 1932 (5 staff)
This lab would later become the Centre of Forensic Sciences
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Forensic Toxicology in Canada
1941 – 16 pathologists make up the regional pathologist system
1942 – RCMP crime lab is opened in Ottawa, Ontario.
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H. Ward Smith
1951 – the Attorney General’s lab in Ontario is re-organized. Smith is appointed director of the laboratory
The modern era of forensic science in Ontario begins
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CSFS
Canadian Society of Forensic Science (CSFS) is formed on 16 October 1953 with members from the RCMP, Health and Welfare Canada, the Montreal Lab and H. Ward Smith
Became a corporate body in 1963 with the purpose and objective of promoting the study of, raising the standards of and enhancing the stature of forensic science as a distinct discipline
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CSFS
Participants in the October 16, 1953 meeting in OttawaL to R: L. Byrnes, G.H.W. Lucas, L. Levi. R.A.H. McKeen, B. Peclet, L.J. Rogers,
B.B. Coldwell, C.G. Farmilo, J.A. Churchman, J.M. Roussel, G. Nadeau, R. McDougall, H.W. Smith, Unknown, D. Graham.
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Centre of Forensic Sciences
1966 – the lab is renamed the “Centre of Forensic Sciences”
1967 – D.M. Lucas is appointed Director of the CFS. The toxicology section is expanded to include breath testing and alcohol testing.
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Canadian Forensic Toxicology
Mr. Doug Lucas, originally a chemist, oversaw the formation of the current Toxicology Section of CFS by combining Alcohol analysis and Drugs into one section.
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Canadian Forensic Toxicology
1972, the CFS was transferred to the Ministry of the Solicitor General in order to separate the investigative aspect of justice from the administration of justice
Forensic Pathology became a separate entity within the Public Safety Division
1975, CFS moved to its present location at 25 Grosvenor St.
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Canadian Forensic Toxicology
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Centre of Forensic Sciences
1992 – the Centre of Forensic Sciences opens a second laboratory in Sault Ste. Marie – the “Northern Regional Lab”
Provides most of the services that CFS Toronto provides
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Forensic Labs in Canada
RCMP LabsVancouver, Edmonton, Regina,
Winnipeg, Ottawa, Halifax
Centre of Forensic Sciences – Toronto and Sault Ste. Marie
Laboratoire de Sciences Judiciares et de Mêdecin Légale- Montreal
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Modernization of Toxicology
Professional societies, certification boards, advanced training of forensic scientists ensure that the role of the forensic toxicologist is more than a “coroner’s chemist”
Forensic toxicologists more frequently have advanced degrees, involved in scientific research and teaching
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Modernization of Toxicology
High tech methods have replaced low tech methods of our past
Gas chromatography Mass spectrometry HPLC ELISALC-MS
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Modernization of Toxicology
Improvements in instrumentation
Allows for the detection of smaller and smaller quantities of substances (ng)
Allows for smaller sample size (1970 – 15+ mL blood required, 2003 – 25uL IA, 0.5mL MS, 2mL GC,LC)
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New Challenges
Increased interest in all things forensic results in increased public scrutiny– pressure to produce results quickly, with untested
methods and insufficient time
Miscarriages of justice have placed new pressure on laboratory operations and expert witnesses
Increasing role as a guardian of public health– determining drug abuse potentials, trends and dangers
– e.g. PMA disguised as “Ecstasy”
– e.g. Percocet abuse in the U.S.A.
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Notorious Forensic Tox Cases
Jonestown Massacre – November 18, 1978
“The People’s Temple” founded by Jim Jones
Guyana, South America 914 followers die after
obeying orders to drink grape kool-aid laced with cyanide.
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Chicago, Illinois, 1982 Seven people collapse suddenly and die
after taking Tylenol capsulesAnalysis reveals the capsules were laced
with cyanideThe case remains unsolved Copy cat cases
Notorious Forensic Tox Cases
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1995-2000Dr. Harold ShipmanManchester, EnglandConvicted of murder of 15
women by lethal injection with morphine
Suspected of killing up to 265 patients
Notorious Forensic Tox Cases