ABT Forensic Toxicology 2

Question 1

Which drug is associated with 'excited delirium syndrome' and sudden death in forensic cases, often involving restraint?

Accepted Answer

Cocaine or methamphetamine

Answer

Excited delirium syndrome is frequently associated with stimulant drugs (cocaine, methamphetamine) and is characterized by hyperthermia, agitation, superhuman strength, and sudden death.

Question 2

GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) is particularly challenging in forensic toxicology because:

Accepted Answer

It is an endogenous compound with a short detection window (4–8 hours in urine)

Answer

GHB is an endogenous brain metabolite with a short half-life (~30 minutes) and narrow detection window (4–8 hours in urine), making it difficult to detect in drug-facilitated sexual assault cases.

Question 3

The Widmark formula is used in forensic alcohol investigations to calculate:

Accepted Answer

Retrograde extrapolation of blood alcohol concentration

Answer

The Widmark formula uses known elimination rate (β), body weight, and time to retrograde extrapolate what a person's BAC would have been at an earlier time point.

Question 4

Which specimen is most useful for detecting drug exposure in neonates born to substance-using mothers?

Accepted Answer

Meconium

Answer

Meconium (first stool) accumulates drug metabolites from fetal swallowing of amniotic fluid throughout the second and third trimesters, providing a longer window of detection than urine.

Question 5

In workplace drug testing regulated by SAMHSA/DOT, which five drug classes must be tested in the federal 5-panel screen?

Accepted Answer

Amphetamines, cocaine, opioids, PCP, marijuana (THC)

Answer

The federally mandated 5-panel workplace drug test screens for amphetamines, cocaine metabolites, opioids/opiates, phencyclidine (PCP), and marijuana metabolites (THC-COOH).

ABT - American Board of Toxicology Practice Test

ABT - American Board of Toxicology Practice Test

ABT Forensic Toxicology 2