ABT Forensic Toxicology

Question 1

In postmortem toxicology, which phenomenon describes the redistribution of drugs from concentrated tissues (liver, lung) into blood after death?

Accepted Answer

Postmortem redistribution (PMR)

Answer

Postmortem redistribution (PMR) occurs when drugs diffuse from high-concentration organs into adjacent blood vessels after death, elevating postmortem blood concentrations.

Question 2

Which matrix is preferred for documenting historical drug exposure over weeks to months in forensic investigations?

Accepted Answer

Hair

Answer

Hair provides a chronological record of drug incorporation, with approximately 1 cm of hair growth representing one month of exposure history.

Question 3

Chain of custody in forensic toxicology is essential primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Document sample handling to preserve legal admissibility of results

Answer

Chain of custody documentation tracks every person who handles a forensic specimen, ensuring results are legally defensible and specimens have not been tampered with.

Question 4

Vitreous humor is a preferred postmortem specimen for ethanol analysis because it:

Accepted Answer

Is less subject to postmortem ethanol production by microorganisms

Answer

Vitreous humor is an isolated compartment relatively protected from bacterial contamination and postmortem fermentation, giving more reliable postmortem ethanol results.

Question 5

Which confirmatory analytical technique is considered the 'gold standard' for forensic drug identification?

Accepted Answer

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)

Answer

GC-MS provides both chromatographic retention time and a mass spectrum that serves as a molecular fingerprint, making it the forensic gold standard for definitive drug identification.

ABT - American Board of Toxicology Practice Test

ABT - American Board of Toxicology Practice Test

ABT Forensic Toxicology