Forensic Toxicology

Dr. Courtney M. Lappas, an Associate Professor of Biology at Lebanon Valley College, has extensive experience teaching and mentoring undergraduate students while maintaining an active research program. An Immunopharmacologist, Dr. Lappas teaches Molecular Biology, Immunology and General Biology. Previously a Fellow at the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Lappas' research interests are translational in nature and focus on the utilization of novel pharmacological tools in the treatment and/or prevention of immunological pathologies.

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