PINEDA, HANNAH FRANCESCA S.

FRSCMD1 – BFM

MLA Firearm injuries

1. Nature of firearm
2. Range of fire
3. Direction of fire
4. Place from where firing took place
5. Cause of death
6. Manner of death-Accidental, suicidal or homicidal
Suicide. Homicide vs. Accident
 Contact Shot: In a contact shot, the firearm is in direct contact with the target, leaving distinctive patterns of
injury. This is often seen in suicides where the victim places the gun against their body.
o Usually located in the temple, mouth, anterior neck, chest
 Close-Range (Near Contact): In a close-range shot, the firearm is very close to the target but not in direct contact.
 Intermediate Range: In this case the firearm is not in close contact but is still relatively near the target.
 Distant Range: In distant-range shots, the firearm is fired from a significant distance from target, which is more
commonly seen in accidental discharges or homicides where the assailant is at a distance
Effects of Explosive Devices
 Burns, both from the near effects of the explosion and secondary burns from conflagrations started by the
bomb;
 Missile injuries from part of the bomb casing and from adjacent objects and fragments projected by the
explosion;
 Injuries due to the collapse of buildings, roofs, ceilings,
 Injuries and death due from vehicular damage or destruction, such as decompression, fire, and ground impact of
bombed aircraft and crash damage to cars, trucks
Toxicology
 the study of the adverse effects of chemicals or physical agents on living organisms
Forensic Toxicology
 the analysis of biological samples for the presence of toxins
Forensic Toxicologist
 Detect and identify the presence of drugs and poisons in body fluids, tissues, and organs.
 Crime Labs
 ME Offices
 Hospital labs & Health Facilities
 Identify drug overdoses
 Monitor intake of drug
Forensic Toxicology can be found in:
 Post-mortem - medical examiner
 Criminal - motor vehicle accidents
 Workplace - drug testing
 Sports - human and animals
 Environment - industrial, catastrophic, terrorism
Toxicology plays a major part in forensics
 A criminalist may be asked to see if a person’s behavior has been influenced by a drug
 A forensic team may examine evidence to see whether a suspect has been manufacturing illicit compounds
 Forensic experts will look for evidence that a toxic substance has killed a person
Intoxicant vs. Poison
 Intoxicant needs large amount to be lethal (i.e. Alcohol)
 Poison needs small amount to be lethal (i.e. Cyanide)
Alcoholism
ALCOHOL ABUSE
 Alcoholism or alcohol dependence is defined by the American Medical Association (AMA) as:
"a primary, chronic-disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors and influencing its
development and manifestations
Alcoholism is characterized by:
  A prolonged period of frequent, heavy alcohol use.
 Physical dependence manifested by withdrawal symptoms when the individual stops using alcohol.
 Tolerance or the need to use more and more alcohol to achieve the same effects.
 A variety of social and/or legal problems arising from alcohol use.
Effects of Alcohol (mg/100mL alcohol in blood)
 30-50 - Impairment of driving and similar skills;
 50-100 - Reduced inhibitions, talkativeness, laughter, slight sensory disturbance;
 100-150 - Incoordination, unsteadiness, slurred speech;
 150-200 - Obvious drunkenness, nausea and ataxia;
 200-300- Vomiting, stupor, possibly coma;
 300-350 - Danger of aspirating vomit, stupor or coma;
 Over 350 - Progressive danger of death from respiratory paralysis.
Stage of Excitement
 During this stage, individuals may experience feelings of well-being, relaxation, and slight excitation. Their
actions, speech, and emotions may be less restrained than usual.
Stage of Confusion or Incoordination
 As alcohol intake continues, muscular coordination becomes impaired, leading to incoordination. This stage is
characterized by a blunting of sensory perception, such as decreased ability to process information accurately.
Stage of Narcosis or Coma
 In this stage, the person’s level of consciousness is significantly depressed. They may pass into a deep sleep or
even a coma.
Drug abuse
 It refers to the misuse or excessive use of drugs
Drug Tolerance
 Tolerance occurs after chronic exposure to a specific drug
Drug Dependence
 Dependence is said to exist when an individual cannot function normally in the absence of a specific drug.
Drug Withdrawal
 It refers to the development of symptoms when a drug is abruptly discontinued. Only individuals who are already
dependent on a drug can experience withdrawal symptoms.
Drug idiosyncrasies
 This term is used to describe unanticipated drug reactions. For the most part these reactions are allergic in
nature. They fall into the category of hypersensitivity reaction, where an inappropriate and excessive reaction to
an allergen (such as pollen, dust, animal hair or certain foods) causes symptoms
Drug interaction
 This term describes unanticipated symptoms and signs that result after two or more different drugs have been
given. Interactions may be good or bad, depending on which types of drugs are involved.
Classifications of Drugs
1. STIMULANTS
 also known as "uppers"
 excites the central nervous system
 act by increasing concentrations of a neurotransmitter called dopamine(located within certain vital areas of the
hind-brain and is responsible in mediating sense of pleasure)
 physical effects of stimulant use generally include dilation of pupils, increased heart rates and;
 raised blood pressure, increased alertness, alleviate fatigue, reduce hunger and provide a feeling of well-being

2. DEPRESSANTS
 also known as “downers
 Slow down activity in the central nervous system of your body and seem to give feelings of relaxation
 available as prescription drugs to relieve stress and anger, although drowsiness is often a side effect

3. HALLUCINOGENS
 also known as “psychedelics”
 first developed as appetite suppresant
 produced marked distortion of the senses and changes in perception
  e.g. LSD, ecstacy, ketamines

4. OPIATES AND OPIOIDS

 Relieves pain, depresses respiration and reduces gut motility, drowsiness
 nausea, vomiting and difficulty in breathing if taken in large dosage
 “tolerance” which finally leads to drug dependence
 Convulsions that can lead to death if overdosed

5. SEDATIVE HYPNOTICS
 For treatment of insomnia
 e.g. benzodiazepine, anti-depressants

6. DISSOCIATIVE ANAESTHETICS
 A state where a person feels detached from their surroundings or experiences an altered sense of self.
 These substances can produce hallucinogenic effects, but not all hallucinogens are dissociative anesthetics.

7. MARIJUANA
 Used as pain reliever

8. SOLVENTS/INHALANTS
 inhalation will result in transient euphoria, headache and ataxia

9. Poison
 Substance capable of causing the illness or death of a living organism
 Substance that can cause severe organ damage
MLA of Poisoning
 Accidental Poisoning
 Suicidal poisoning – most common method of self destruction
 Homicidal poisoning – traditional weapons of poisoner include heavy metals such as arsenic, antimony,
strychnine, and cyanide
Recognition of Poisoning
 Sudden vomiting and diarrhea
 Unexplained coma
 Coma in adult known to have depressive illness
 Rapid onset of peripheral neuropathy such as wrist-drop
 Rapid onset of peripheral neuropathy or gastrointestinal illness in persons known to be occupationally expose to
chemicals
Forms
 Metallic Poisons
1. Heavy-metal poisoning is the toxic accumulation of heavy metals in the soft tissues of the body
 Agro-Chemical
1. Pesticides
2. Insecticides
3. Herbicides
 Gaseous
 Miscellaneous
1. Arsenic
Acute - gastrointestinal symptoms predominate with bloody vomiting
2. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
3. Cyanide Poisoning – high concentration leads to cardiac arrest within minutes of exposure
4. Methanol – causes metabolic acidosis
Specific Testing Matrices
1. Blood and urine
2. Feces
3. Hair
4. Liver
5. Vomit and stomach contents