6.1 Toxicology of Alcohol

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6.1 Toxicology of Alcohol

• 12.7.09

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Forensic Toxicology

• Forensic Toxicologist detects and identifies
  drugs and poisons in the body, fluids, tissues,
  and organs
• Alcohol is the most heavily abused drug in the
  Western countries
• 40 of all traffic accidents are alcohol related,
  17,500 fatalities a year

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The Metabolism of Alcohol

• Any chemical that enters your body enters a
  process of transformation, called metabolism
• Three steps absorption, distribution, elimination

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Absorption and Distribution

• Alcohol appears in the blood within minutes after
  consumption
• During absorption alcohol slowly enters the
  bloodstream and is carried to all parts of the
  body
• Evenly distributed throughout the watery parts of
  the body
• 2/3 of the body is water

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Factors of Absorption

• Total time taken to consume the drink
• Alcohol content of beverage
• Amount consumed
• Type of food present in the stomach

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Elimination

• Alcohol is eliminated through two mechanisms
• Oxidation
• Takes place in the liver
• 95-98 of alcohol is oxidized to CO2 and H2O
• Excretion
• Remainder excreted in breath, urine, perspiration
• Amount of alcohol that is exhaled in the breath
  is directly proportional to the concentration of
  alcohol in the blood

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Blood-Alcohol Concentration

• Best part to take is a piece of the brain for
  blood-alcohol test
• Peak absorption does not happen until two to
  three hours after consumption