Forensic Biochemistry

GENERAL OBJECTIVES:

1. Understand the metabolism of foreign compounds (Xenobiotics) in the body.

2. Understand the analysis of materials of forensic interest.

Metabolism of foreign compounds in the blood.

1.1 Describe drugs as foreign chemical compounds in the system.

1.2 Classify drugs as acidic, basic and neutral.

1.3 Explain the role of the liver enzymes in foreign compound metabolism.

1.4 Describe the characteristics of foreign compound metabolizing enzymes.

1.5 Explain the role of the smooth Endoplasmic recticulum in foreign compound metabolism.

1.6 Explain the two phases in the metabolism of foreign compounds (phase I and II).

1.7 Explain phase I as involving the modification of the drug via oxidation and reduction reactions.

1.8 Explain Phase II as dealing with the conjugation of Phase I products mainly into water extractable products e.g. glucoronides, sulphates, etc.

1.9 Explain how metabolism of a drug may enhance or lower the harmful effect of a drug or make an innocuous compound harmful.

1.10 Explain how the effect (metabolism) of a drug in the system depends on such factors as the structure of the compound route of administration, sex and strain and species of animal, presence of other chemicals, diet etc.

1.11 Explain the terms: toxicity, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity teratogenicity etc.

1.12 Explain the effects of drugs on tissues in terms of 1.11 above.

1.13 Describe the various routes of excretion of drugs and their metabolites (breakdown products) e.g exhaled air, sweat, saliva, urine, bile and other body fluids.

1.14 Explain the importance of the study of rate of urinary excretion of drugs in forensic science.

1.15 Explain drug-drug interactions in the body.

Materials of Forensic interest

2.1 Explain forensic science.

2.2 Describe the collection, preservation and forwarding of materials of forensic interest to the laboratory.

2.3 Explain the need for proper storage of materials for forensic analysis.

2.4 Explain the importance of preserving some portions of a sample for further reference.

2.5 Describe the duties of the toxicologist.

2.6 Describe the various groups of poisons.

2.7 Explain the methods of extraction and identification of compounds of forensic interest.

2.8 Describe the extraction and identification of poison and drugs.

2.9 Explain metallic poisoning, indicating where they are deposited in the body

2.10 Describe the methods of extraction and specific identification of 2.9 above.

2.11 Describe blood groups and rhesus factors.

2.12 Explain blood group typing.

2.13 Explain parentage dispute.

2.14 Describe the use of blood group in 2.13 above.

2.15 Describe the various types of body fluids.

2.16 Describe qualitative methods of identification of blood strains, urine and saliva.

2.17 Describe various presumptive (preliminary) tests employed on body fluids (e.g. blood; saliva, serum) before specific confirmatory tests.

2.18 Explain species identification for blood strain.

2.19 Carry out test on blood stains, saliva, smina stains and species identification.

2.20 Define hard drugs.

2.21 Classify hard drugs.

2.22 Describe spot test for drugs of forensic interest.

2.23 Describe methods of purification of such hard drugs.

2.24 Describe standard confirmatory methods of analysis of hard drugs.

2.25 Compare results obtained in 2.23 above with the normal level (data) set by Nigerian standards organization, food and Drug administration (FDA) and World Health Organisation (WHO) and similar bodies.

2.26 Make proper deductions from all available data.

2.27 Build up result/data banks for future references.

2.28 Explain presentation pattern of work reports.

2.29 Explain why the analyst must report only his findings.