Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Abused Drugs is a concise and focused volume devoted to the metabolism and measurable effects of drugs on the human body. Beginning with basic concepts and models designed to provide a fundamental understanding of the subject matter, the book details the specifics of absorption, distribution, and elimination pathways and rates of commonly abused drugs. It analyzes the effects of drug use on human performance including response time, memory and recall, logical and cognitive processes, as well as physiological changes. Packed with data and comparative studies, this handy volume considers the effects of marketed and prescription medications as well as illicit drugs including opioids, cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, ketamine, nicotine, and LSD. Containing 29 figures and tables and extensive references, this is a must-have resource for the influence of drug use and abuse on human physiology and performance.

Providing practical guidelines for using state-of-the-art, brain-based assessment techniques, this volume establishes a neuropsychiatric schema for the evaluation of traumatic brain injury and provides tools for designing a treatment plan. Although geared toward forensic evaluation with chapters on the detection of brain-injury malingering, determination of impairment, methods of neurobehavioral analysis, and the presentation of evidence at trial, the methods in this book can be used to evaluate and treat any neuropsychiatric disorder with the addition of appropriate laboratory studies and pathology specific treatment.

Leading researchers explain how these breakthroughs help researchers determine physiologically relevant detection thresholds and develop more effective countermeasures and national response procedures. Chemical Warfare Agents provides first responders and emergency medical teams with the most up-to-date information they need to prepare for and handle natural disasters, chemical spills, terrorism, and warfare situations—quickly and effectively.

Practitioners will benefit from the expert instruction on the management of common comorbidities, including diagnosis and pharmaceutical treatment of psychological disorders. Additional information covers the physiological effects of each drug and the emergency management of several drug related disorders such as psychosis, seizures, stroke, hyperthermia, and cardiac crisis. With 29 tables and figures, expert data and extensive references, this is an indispensable book for anyone in the field of addiction or emergency medicine.

Postmortem Toxicology of Abused Drugs considers the role of toxicology in the investigation of homicide, suicide, accident, natural death, and overdose. It gives practical insights and case reviews on conducting toxicology tests and completing toxicology reports. It explains chain of custody; specimen collection and security; sampling of blood, urine, bile, and vitreous humor; and the selection of post-mortem specimens. Analyzing various testing procedures, the book covers simple chemical tests, microdiffusion tests, chromatography, spectroscopy, and more. It also discusses methods and strategies for analysis; and covers quality assurance protocols and controls. To help avoid common pitfalls, the text demonstrates the proper interpretation of postmortem drug levels based on knowledge of pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and pharmacogenetics; post-mortem redistribution and diffusion; and other considerations such as synergistic toxicity, and drug instability. Heavily referenced and containing several tables, figures, and useful appendices, this book is a handy reference for forensic scientists and medical examiners involved with death investigation.

Pathology, Toxicogenetics, and Criminalistics of Drug Abuse presents a detailed introduction to the cutting-edge advances in this emerging field. Beginning with a definition and explanation of the scheduling of controlled substances, the book covers all illicit drugs, as well as several legitimate pharmaceutical preparations that are used illicitly, including steroids. It describes in detail the most common pathologic syndromes seen in the hearts, lungs, and central nervous systems of drug abusers and explains how inherited genetic defects and variations can alter drug effects. Written by leading investigators in the field, this useful volume describes the techniques most commonly used by forensic analysts including chemical confirmatory tests such as microcrystal identification and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The book reviews the basics of toxicogenetics, including the molecular changes in cardiac structure ("channelopathies") that may cause sudden death.

This volume enables you to gain the knowledge, perspective, and insight needed to independently implement a successful audit and monitoring management system tailored to the unique requirements of your organization.

The authors stress the standardization of proper training and testing procedures to ensure that every scientist employed in public and private practice has the credentials they require. They give clear guidelines for effective training programs based on occupational standards that support the development of competent practitioners. The book examines the importance of workplace assessments of competence against occupational standards and emphasizes the role and quality of those involved in the assessment process. The authors include several case studies demonstrating competence in practice and the methods to ensure consistent high standards in the future.

Logically organized, clearly written, and covering all systems in a single text, this presentation of information streamlines fire service interaction with building features and fire protection systems. Providing an understanding of how systems are designed and installed, the book is also a reference for troubleshooting fire protection problems in the field. The information not only gives responders an appreciationknowledge of how the systems work, but helps them use this knowledge to perform their job better.

Edited by Mark Tibbett, a soil microbiologist and David Carter, a forensic scientist, this unique resourceprovides an up-to-date overview of fundamental scientific principles and methods used in forensic taphonomy from a soils-based perspective. It provides an understanding of the processes at work, as well as practical methods and advice for those involved with active investigation.