Description
Dr. Nicholas T. Lappas, an Associate Professor Emeritus in the Department of Forensic Sciences at the George Washington University, has extensive experience and demonstrated expertise in both the teaching and practice of forensic toxicology. In 1975, Dr. Lappas, was one of the first two full time faculty members appointed to the faculty of the Department of Forensic Sciences at the George Washington University. Prior to this appointment, he was a forensic toxicologist in the Allegheny Coroner’s Office in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At GWU, he developed the MFS program in forensic toxicology, through which he has mentored hundreds of students and taught several graduate courses, including Forensic Toxicology, Analytical Toxicology, Medicinal Chemistry and Forensic Serology. Dr. Lappas’ research interests have been focused on the development of analytical toxicology methods and the evaluation of factors that influence the interpretation of analytical toxicology results. His professional activities include serving as a forensic toxicology consultant in more than 500 criminal and civil cases and as an expert witness in more than 100 cases. UNIT I: PRINCIPLES OF TOXICOLOGY 1. Principles of Pharmacokinetics 2. Principles of Pharmacodynamics 3. Drug Interactions 4. Toxicogenomics UNIT II: INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY 5. The development of forensic toxicology 6. The Duties and Responsibilities of Forensic Toxicologists 7. Forensic Toxicology Resources 8. The Laboratory UNIT III: ANALYSIS 9. Analytical Strategy 10. Sample Handling 11. Storage Stability of Analytes 12. Analytical Samples 13. Sample Preparation 14. Methods of Detection, Identification, and Quantitation 15. Quality Assurance and Quality Control 16. Analytical Errors UNIT IV: INTERPRETATION 17. Types of Interpretations 18. Factors that Influence the Interpretations of Analyte Concentration UNIT V: REPORTING 19. Reports 20. Testifying UNIT VI: DRUGS OF ABUSE 21. Ethanol 22. Opioids 23. Morphine 24. Heroin 25. Fentanyls 26. Cannabinoids UNIT VII: Cases in Toxicology 27. The Case of William Palmer 28. The Case of Marie Bernard 29. The Case of Claus von Bulow 30. Physician Poisoners Appendix A. Glossary
