Forensic Science International 150 (2005) 113

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Book review

Barry Levine (Ed.), Principles of Forensic Toxicol- carbon monoxide, opioids, amphetamines, and therapeutic
ogy, second ed., AACC Press, Washington, DC, drugs. These chapters are very concise, but provide general
2003, 385 pp., US$ 67.00, softcover, ISBN information, including metabolism and metabolites, clinical
1-890883-87-5. indicators of poisoning, some pharmacology and the
methods used for analyses of the analytes. This section is
not a laboratory manual giving a step-by-step procedure for
The second edition grew over the first edition. It is about
analysis. I agree with the majority of the information
the same size and weight, but fewer pages! It is organized in
contained in these chapters, but know that some of the
the same fashion with essentially the same contributors as
information is not that well documented and accepted by
the first edition. The change is the addition of two separate
the scientific community, i.e., such things as half-life, which
chapters on therapeutic drugs [(I) Anticonvulsant and anti-
can be variable; blood level interpretation, ratios of drug–
arrhythmics and (II) Neuroleptic (antipsychotic) drugs]. I
blood to other body tissues, etc.
indicated in my review of the first edition that this book
An addition to the chapter on carbon monoxide would be
would become the Goodman & Gilman of Forensic Tox-
an illustration of a Conway cell. Most chemists have neither
icology. It is on the right path. Dr. Levine has participated in
heard of nor seen this unique Irish contribution to science.
the preparation of more chapters in this second edition; so he
As a long-time Professor of toxicology at Duquesne
is both a contributor and an editor.
University, and Course Instructor in forensic toxicology, I
There are 22 separate chapters included in the three
like this book very much. It is very well organized and a
sections, i.e., Introduction, Methodologies and Analytes.
great course guide. I highly recommend its adoption for
The Introduction section contains four chapters dealing with
courses in forensic toxicology, not just for toxicologists, but
forensic toxicology, drug testing, and human performance.
also for pathologists, pharmacists, and chemists, including
Chapter 4 is my favorite chapter dealing with pharmacoki-
clinical. Additionally, every hospital clinical chemistry lab
netics and pharmacodynamics. This chapter is easy to
and every poison control center should have this book. It
follow, very informative, and with good examples and
should also be included in the libraries of every university
illustrations.
that offers programs in forensic science, criminal justice
The Methodologies section contains five chapters. The
or legal medicine. I hope that the FBI Laboratory has a
chapter on specimen preparation prepared by Dr. Siek, who
copy!
is well known for method development, is easily understood
and the basics are well presented. The other chapters in this
section cover the basics (including theory) of spectropho- Charles L. Winek
tometry, chromatography, mass spectrometry and immu- Duquesne University, Pittsburgh Criminalistic
noassay. All chapters are well supplied with figures, 1320 5th Avenue, Pittsburgh
graphs and illustrations. Section III covers chapters on the PA 15219, USA
general and specific classes of analytes usually confronting Tel.: +1 412 391 6243; fax: +1 412 471 3993
the forensic toxicologist. There are 13 chapters in this E-mail address: drwinek@aol.com
section, including chapters on alcohol (volatiles), cocaine,
marijuana, hallucinogens, inhalants (volatiles), metals, Available online 11 February 2005

0379-0738/$ – see front matter # 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.08.008