ACMT Explores the Intersection of Toxicology, Law Enforcement, and Crime Scene Investigation
Phoenix, Arizona (PRWEB) September 10, 2013 -- The American College of Medical Toxicology will host “CSI Atlanta: Toxicology, Law Enforcement and Crime Scene Investigation” on September 28th in Atlanta at the North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology annual meeting. This educational symposium will examine how the areas of analytical, forensic, and clinical toxicology interface with law enforcement in the evaluation of patients with drug-related medical concerns. The evolving effects of drug-related activities on special populations such as victims, prisoners, and young children will be included.
The influence of street drugs on the user and the impact of the agents on forensic scientists will be explored in depth. Specific topics will include recent trends in adulteration of street drugs (adding substances to decrease the purity), as well as the potential health risks of exposure to these adulterants. The agitation and confusion that results from use of many common street drugs places law enforcement and emergency medical personnel at risk of harm by those they are attempting to help. The use of physical restraints, electroshock control devices, and other “non-lethal” means to manage agitated patients at the scene, and the potential health consequences of these practices will be discussed. The controversies and scientific evidence regarding treatment of patients who ‘stuff’, or spontaneously ingest, illegal drugs when encountered by law enforcement will also be reviewed.
Experts will highlight the risks faced by drug-endangered children. These include the potential long-term hazards of exposure to clandestine methamphetamine laboratories and the consequences of unintended exposure to methadone and other opioid medications. Conference attendees will learn how to identify malicious child poisoning and the syndrome of abuse known as Munchausen-by-proxy. Scientific updates on recent epidemic poisonings in prisoners such as botulism, which can lead to paralysis, and methanol toxicity, a cause of blindness, will be provided. According to Nicole Bouchard, M.D., the conference organizer, “By connecting circles of professionals who work on different aspects of the same problems, ACMT provides a true multidisciplinary focus in order to advance the science and practice of both forensic investigation and patient care.”
The American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) is a professional, nonprofit association of physicians with recognized expertise in medical toxicology. The College is dedicated to advancing the science and practice of medical toxicology.
ACMT, American College of Medical Toxicology, http://www.acmt.net, +1 (602) 828-0611, [email protected]
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