Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO STATE UNIVERSITY
NISU – Victorino Salcedo Campus, Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Course Code : FRC 106
Descriptive Title : Forensic Chemistry and Toxicolgy
Term and Academic Year : 2st Semester, AY 2025-2026
Department and Year Level : BSCRIM 3
Professor : Prof. MARLON B. OSITA, MSCJ
Module 5
Toxicology
[Link]
Involvement of poison as the cause of the death of a person is usually one of the
concern and difficult thing for an investigator who is not expert in the field. That is why it is
advisable that forensic chemist must be the one to collect evidence in the alleged crime scene
with the involvement of suspected poison as the cause of the death of victim/s. As criminology
students and aim to be one of the member of law enforcement agency you should be familiar
and must have a foundation about toxicology.
In this lesson, you shall be able to know what toxicology is, its importance and how
collection, preservation and examination is being conducted.
This lesson will guide you to determine signs if victims were being poisoned, and
identify different poison through its effects on the living organism.
Read and understand the discussion and answer the questions that follow. Perform
the activity and keep update via messenger the process and date of submission.
Time Frame: Date of Submission:
II. LearningOutcomes
At the end of the lesson you must have:
1. explained the importance of toxicology;
2. distinguished the different types and evidence of poisoning;
3. identified different classification of poison as well as the elements of poisoning;and
4. differentiated the types of dose and explained the dose concept
III. Learning Contents
Toxicology
Toxicology is a scientific study of poison their nature, properties, effects and detection
and the treatment in case of poisoning.
Toxicological examination are requested in cases of sudden and unexplained deaths.
The internal organs and contents obtained during the medico-legal autopsy are usual
specimen submitted, as well as the suspected source of the poison such as food, drinks or
medicine, If not fatal, the vomits, blood and urine of the victims are examined. In case of mass
food poisoning, identification of the poison by the laboratory is important not only in
investigation but more in the treatment of the victims. Internal organs and other parts of animals
(chicken, dog, etc.), too, are received frequently in connection with complaints of malicious
mischief.
The reason for the application of toxicology is to determine the presence of volatile,
non- volatile and metallic poisons in cases of alleged poisoning.
Poison is a substance that when introduce into or absorbed by a living organism causes death
Module 5, Toxicology Page | 1
Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO STATE UNIVERSITY
NISU – Victorino Salcedo Campus, Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
or injury.
History of Poison
Paracelsus – (16th century) German Swiss physician / alchemist: first stressed the
chemical nature of poison and its action by experimentation. He introduce dose concept.
Prof. Matthieu Orfila- (19th Century) attending physician to Louis XVII; correlated chemistry of
toxins with the biological effects it produces in a poisoned individual.
Types of Poison from Medical Point of View
1. Acute Poisoning – there is prompt and marked disturbance of functions or death in a short
time.
2. Sub-acute poisoning – cases of short duration and extreme violence.
3. Chronic Poisoning – there is gradual deterioration of functions of tissues.
From Legal Point of View
1. Accidental Poisoning – poison was taken without intention to cause death.
2. Suicidal Poisoning – poison was taken voluntarily for the purpose of taking his own life.
3. Homicidal Poisoning – poison was given willfully and with intent to cause death to the victim.
4. Undetermined Poisoning – those in which how the poison was obtained and why it was
administered.
Action of Poisons
1. Local – changes or disturbance produced on the part with which the poison comes in contact.
2. Remote – changes or disturbance produced in distance parts away from the site of application.
3. Combined – effect of poison is not only localized at the site but also effects remote organs.
Kind of Dose
1. Safe Dose – one that does not cause harmful effect.
2. Toxic or Poisonous Dose – one that is harmful to both healthy and sick.
3. Lethal Dose – one that kills.
4. Minimum Dose – is the smallest amount that will produce the therapeutic effect without
causing harm.
5. Maximum Dose – is the largest amount that will cause no harm but at the
same time produce the desired therapeutic effect.
Classification of poison based on origin
1. Animal / Toxin-a poison produced by living organism stimulating antibodies.
Usually transmitted through bites and stings of venomous terrestrial or
marine animals.
2. Vegetable-poison ivy and Jimsonweed plants
3. Mineral- hydrochloric acid, caustic alkali
4. Microbial- produced by microscopic organism (ex. Bacteria, fungi)
5. Synthetic- manufactured by chemist such as drugs, pesticides as well as chemical
purified from natural sources such as metals from ores and solvent from gasoline.
According to irritants
1. Irritants- through direct contact, this poison inflames the mucous membrane of
the parts it comes in contact with resulting to nausea, vomiting, pain, and
diarrhea. ( ex. Bromine)
2. Corrosive- by direct contact, chemically produces local destruction of tissue. (ex.
Phenol, HCl, HNO3, Caustic Soda (NaOH)
3. Neurotics- those that affect the central nervous system
a. Cerebral neurotics: Narcotics - inducing drowsiness, sleep stupor
complete or incomplete insensibility or loss of feeling
b. Spinal Neurotics: Tetanics –poison that act on the spinal cord producing
spasmodic or continuous contraction of muscles resulting in stiffness of the
parts to which they are attached. c.. Cerebrospinal neurotics-
* Deliriants- poison that act on the brain causing disorder of mental
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Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO STATE UNIVERSITY
NISU – Victorino Salcedo Campus, Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
functions resulting to confusion of free will.
* Depressants- substance that depress or retard the physiological action of an
organ.
4. Aesthetic/ Exhaustive –poison that cause marked loss of vital muscular power or general
weakness.
General Treatment of Poisoning
1. Removal of poison from the stomach.
2. Administration of antidotes.
3. Elimination of poison by excretion.
4. Stimulation and other symptomatic treatment.
5. Special treatment.
Removal of Poison from the Stomach
1. Inducing vomiting using emetics.
EMETIC – a substance or agent which produces vomiting.
.Classes of Emetics
a. Local emetics – produce their effects by their irritation of the terminal nerve
filaments of the pharynx, esophagus or stomach.
b. System or General emetics – produce their effects through the medium of circulation.
2. Use of stomach pump or stomach tube
Administration of Antidotes
ANTIDOTES – agents which neutralize a poison or otherwise counteract or oppose it or its
effect.
Kinds of Antidotes
1. Mechanical Antidote – an agents that removes the poison without changing it or
coats the surface of the organ so that absorption is prevented.
2. Chemical Antidotes – substances that make the poison harmless by chemically altering it.
3. Physiological Antidote – an agent that acts upon the system so as to counteract the effect of
the poison.
Evidence of Poisoning in the Living Body
1. The evidence of poisoning will depend upon whether the poisoning is acute or chronic.
2. In acute poisoning the symptoms appear suddenly while the individual is in good health.
3. In chronic poisoning the symptoms is more gradual and insidious since the
intention of the poisoner is to kill his victim slowly in order to avert suspicion.
Evidence of Poisoning in the Dead
1. Post Mortem Examination or Autopsy – an examination of a dead body to determine the cause
of death.
2. Evidence from Chemical Analysis of the Organ taken from the Body – the most
important proof of poisoning is the detection of the poison within the body.
Importance of Toxicology
a. To verify it of a case of poisoning
b. To be able to treat as the occasion
c. To forward justice
Method of examination
It may divided in two (2) stages, the isolation and identification
1. Isolation
When the submitted specimen is in pure form, the poison must first be isolated.
This procedure does not only limit the search to a manageable class of poisons
but also reduces the interference from other substances that may occur during
the identification stage. Thus, poison may be classified according to their
method of isolation as volatile poisons, non- volatile poisons, and metallic
poisons.
Module 5, Toxicology Page | 3
Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO STATE UNIVERSITY
NISU – Victorino Salcedo Campus, Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Volatile poison- isolated by extracting with alcohol and chloroform.
Non- volatile poisons- isolated by extraction with organic solvents such as strychnine and
other alkaloids Metallic poisons- poison such as arsenic, mercury, and lead.
2. Identification
This method employed for the identification of poison is specific. Preliminary
test should be conducted. Such test include microscopic examination and
flame test. Then confirmatory test should be performed to establish the
presence of poison. As in the other analysis mentioned
earlier, modern instruments like the infrared spectrophotometer and gas
chromatography can be used in confirmatory test.
Embalmed Sample Fresh Sample
Internal organ samples of brain, liver, kidney and stomach
Forensic Toxicology utilizes sophisticated instrument for the identification of thousands
of toxicants which maybe isolated from the organs and body fluids.
Tissues required for toxicology analysis:
Blood -200 ml sample will suffice for routine analysis. Alcohol, cyanide ,
carbon monoxide, some synthetic drugs are some of the poisons easily
detected from the blood.
Urine- all available urine should be collected. Urine often provide
concentrated, unadulterated form of poison and its metabolite
Stomach and contents- the whole stomach and contents should be ligated
at both ends and brought to the laboratory. The volume of the stomach
Module 5, Toxicology Page | 4
Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO STATE UNIVERSITY
NISU – Victorino Salcedo Campus, Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
should be recorded so that total quantity of the drugs present maybe
calculated and estimated the amount of a compound actually ingested.
Brain- one half of the brain should be collected for the presence of alcohol
and other volatile poisons
Liver- 500 grams is a minimal requirement. In most instances the liver
maybe the only tissue in which toxic substance maybe found in high
concentration for absolute identification and quantification.
What can a forensic Toxicologist tell you
1. Identity of the substance
-Nature and behavior of the substance
-possible sources and modes of administration
-Lethal dose, if known
-Which part of the body the substance was found to be present
2. Quantity of the substance present, if quantified
Some helpful tips in the investigation of cases of poisoning:
-identify the possible cause of poisoning
Source of poison ( Food, Drink, Environment)
Mode of Administration ( Inhaled, Ingested, Skin
contact) Substance description ( Container
labels, if any)
Posology is science which deals with the study of the dosage of medicine to be administered
within a certain period.
Medicine is any substance which can be administered to correct or alleviate the disease or
disordered sate of the system.
Dose is the quantity of medicine to be administered at one time. The dosage concept is
important. Whether a drug acts as therapy or poison, it will depend on the dose. Even water is
poison if too much is ingested.
Seminal fluid
also known as semen, is a bodily fluid secreted by the male reproductive organs during
ejaculation. It's a thick, whitish-gray fluid that contains sperm cells and other substances that
support their viability and movement.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Sperm:
Semen contains sperm cells, which are the male reproductive cells responsible for fertilization.
Seminal plasma:
The fluid part of semen, also known as seminal plasma, is produced by the prostate gland and
seminal vesicles.
Nutrients and protective substances:
Seminal plasma provides nutrients and other substances that help protect and nourish the sperm.
Role in fertilization:
Seminal fluid helps deliver sperm to the female reproductive tract, facilitating fertilization.
What are the methods of seminal fluid specimen collection?
You will need to ejaculate directly into a sterile container provided by your clinic or lab.
Avoid touching the inside of the cup and try to get the first part of your ejaculation in the cup, as it is
thought to be the most sperm-rich. If any semen spills, do not attempt to transfer it to your cup.
Module 5, Toxicology Page | 5
Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO STATE UNIVERSITY
NISU – Victorino Salcedo Campus, Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Detailed Procedure:
Semen is typically found on a substrate, most often an item of clothing, bedding, towels, tissues, or floor
covering.
To collect an item with a questioned semen stain:
1. Semen is a bodily fluid. When collecting, observe Universal Precautions. Wear new, unused, clean
latex or nitrile gloves. Wear respiratory and eye protection as needed.
2. Photograph the semen-stained item in place.
3. If the semen stain is wet, place the item on new, clean, dry paper. Place the item and paper in a
draft-free, dry location that is secure, ensuring no one will touch, step on, remove, or displace the
item. Allow the item to air dry. Do not package the item when wet; it may putrefy and therefore
lose its evidentiary value.
4. When the item is dry, package it in an appropriately sized, air-permeable but closed container, such
as a cardboard box, paper envelope, or paper bag. Prior to inserting the item, label the container
with identifying information, including case number, date, exhibit number, a brief description, and
your name. Do not fold the item unless it is absolutely necessary. If the item must be folded, protect
the stained area with a piece of paper and avoid folding across the stained area.
5. If the semen is on an immovable surface, like a tile floor, it can be collected using an absorbent
medium, such as a new, clean, sterile cotton gauze pad.
1. Open the gauze pad packaging and lay the pad on the semen stain. Allow the pad time to
absorb the semen. If the pool is not sufficient for absorption onto a sterile cotton gauze
pad, collect the stain using a sterile swab, rubbing it over the stain to remove as much of
the semen as possible. Be sure to concentrate as much semen as possible on each swab
(ie: two swabs with concentrated amounts of semen are better than six swabs slightly
stained with semen).
2. Air dry the gauze pad or swab before packaging by laying it on a clean sheet of paper or
hanging it up, at room temperature, away from direct heat, sunlight, or drafts. If semen
evidence items are not dried before packaging, they may putrefy and therefore be
unusable.
3. Label a new, clean, evidence collection envelope with identifying information, including
case number, date, exhibit number, a brief description, and your name.
4. Once the gauze pad or swabs are dry, place them into the prepared envelope. If swabs are
submitted, place them cotton tip first into the envelope.
5. Submit a new, unused gauze pad or swab in a separate container as a control sample.
6. Seal the container(s) with evidence tape, not your own saliva. Initial and date the tape.
7. Store the item in a secure, temperature-controlled location, such as a refrigerator or climate-
controlled evidence storage room, until you are able to transport it to the laboratory. Do not
leave the swabs or any biological evidence in a hot car(
[Link]
IV. Learning Assessment
General Instruction:
Read and understand the following questions/ instruction per activity, use extra sheets of long bond
paper for your answers and prepare them for submission and compilation.
Module 5, Toxicology Page | 6
Republic of the Philippines
NORTHERN ILOILO STATE UNIVERSITY
NISU – Victorino Salcedo Campus, Sara, Iloilo
Reg. No. 97Q19783
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY
Answer the following:
1. What is the importance of toxicology in criminal investigation? ( Minimum of 50 words)
2. How to determine if the victim is being poison to death. ( Minimum of 50 words)
3. What is dose and explain its concept. ( Minimum of 50 words)
V. Enrichment Activity/ Output
Instruction: Read and understand the statement below.
1. Search a case of poisoning a person to death (murder case), read the process of
investigation and write down important details done in proving it. You can watch
YouTube, read articles from internet, etc.
[Link]
Dascil .A, (2021) Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology, Quezon, Manila, Wiseman’ Books Traidig,Inc.
Osita, Marlon B. (2026) Module in Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology
Francisco M., (2018), Handbook/ Manual in Forensic Chemistry, Quezon, Manila ,Wiseman’ Books
Traidig,Inc.
Yadav M., Tiwari A. (2017) Forensic toxicology and its relevance with criminal justice delivery system in
India [Link]
justice-delivery- [Link]
Toxicology History [Link]
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efore%2C%20it%20can%20be%20defined,analytical%20chemistry%20and%20fundamental%20t
oxicology.
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