Forensic Toxicology

Forensic Toxicology Is The Science Of Detecting And Identifying Drugs, Poisons And Other Chemicals In Body Fluids And Tissues, And Analyzing The Effects Of Those Substances On The Human Body. It Combines Analytical Chemistry And Pathology To Provide Evidence Which Can Be Used In Criminal And Civil Investigations, Civil And Health Litigation, And Clinical Toxicology. Forensic Toxicologists Are Medical And Scientific Professionals Who Identify And Analyze Substances Which May Have Played A Role In Criminal Or Civil Offenses. They Often Work Closely With Medical Examiners And Police Investigators To Provide Reliable Evidence To Confirm The Potential Use Of Illegal Substances Or The Potential Cause Of Death. Toxicologists May Analyze Biological Samples, Such As Blood, Urine, Or Other Tissue Samples, Or Trace Substances Found At A Crime Scene. Forensic Toxicologists Usually Begin Their Work By Preparing And Running The Toxicology Tests On The Samples They Have Collected. Tests Are Then Performed To Establish The Presence, Identity, Quantity And Significance Of Any Detected Substance. In Combination With Pathological Evidence The Toxicologist’s Results Are Used To Ascertain The Circumstances Surrounding A Suspicious Death Or Other Criminal Activity. In Addition To Their Work In Connection To Criminal Investigations, Forensic Toxicologists May Also Provide Testimony In Matters Related To The Abuse Of Prescription Drugs, As Well As The Production And Distribution Of Hazardous Materials. They May Also Be Called Upon To Advise On Workplace Safety Or The Development Of Medical Devices. Forensic Toxicology Is An Important Component Of Criminal And Health Investigations, And Is Becoming An Increasingly Important Part Of Civil Litigation, Too. With Technological Advancements, New Methods Of Drug Identification And Analysis Have Been Developed, Allowing Toxicologists To Conduct More Accurate Tests Than Ever Before. This Has Enabled The Forensic Toxicologist To Be An Important Part Of Many Different Types Of Investigations And Legal Matters.