Name: Richard Anthony Fox
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada.
Education:
B.A. in Natural Sciences, University of South Florida. Tampa, FL.
M.A. in Chemistry/Science Education, Wayne State University. Detroit, MI.
School:
The Advanced Technologies Acadamy. Las Vegas, NV.
Current Responsibilities:
Teacher of Chemistry, Physics, Forensic Science/Criminalistics
Senior Class Advisor
E-Mail Address:
Research Assignment:
Forensic Toxicology Lab University of Florida
The specific aim of post-mortem forensic toxicology testing is the determination of the absence or presence of drugs and their metabolites, chemicals such as ethanol and other volatile substances, carbon monoxide and other gases as well as toxic chemicals present in human fluids and tissues. The results of laboratory testing are reported to the forensic pathologist who is responsible for evaluating the role of these substances as a determinant or contributing factor in the cause and manner of death.The majority of the samples at UF Toxicology Lab are post-mortem.
My goal while participating in the TRUE program is to adapt certain tests which are done in the toxicology lab so that they may be used in the high school laboratory.
In life and death situations where individuals have been poisoned by unknown substances, tests, known as STAT tests, which are qualitative in nature and not time consuming are used. The tests may involve direct analysis on urine, blood and stomach contents. Since most high school labs lack the sophisticated instrumentation that is present in a professional toxicology lab My objective is to take some of these presumptive tests which are used (e.g. color, oxidation, and precipitation reactions) and refine them for high school experimentation.
I would welcome any information you might have regarding this type of testing and would be more than happy to share ideas that are generated during my research.
Forensic Toxicology website link:
Website link back to TRUE: