Pathology,
Toxicogenetics, and
Criminalistics of
Drug Abuse

Pathology,
Toxicogenetics, and
Criminalistics of
Drug Abuse

Pathology,
Toxicogenetics, and
Criminalistics of
Drug Abuse

In a very broad sense, the criminalistics and pathology of drug abuse are determined by the
particular drugs abused, the ways those drugs are used and administered, their toxic effects, and
the behavioral modifications they produce. This volume begins with a basic overview of the
identification and analysis of physical evidence derived from drugs and drug users. The discussion
continues with an examination of pathological changes resulting from the pharmacologic effects
of various drugs that are abused and from the ways that these drugs are administered: in short, a
review of the changes one would likely encounter at the autopsy table. Much of this book focuses
on emerging concepts and newly discovered phenomena, with an emphasis on death scene investigation, evaluation of the drug abuse victim (living or deceased), and cardiovascular pathology. In
many instances, the authors have relied on their own academic and investigative experiences to
provide a practical approach to evaluating these drug abuse victims.

Steven B. Karch, MD, FFFLM