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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