Barry Logan, a prominent toxicologist and forensic analytical chemist, kindly spoke with BrJAC about his research into drugs of abuse, the legacy and inspiration for future

Abstract

Dr Barry Logan is a world leading forensic toxicologist currently serving as Chief Scientist at NMS Labs, and Executive Director at the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CSFRE) in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. He was born and completed his undergraduate and graduate education in Glasgow, Scotland, completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Tennessee in Memphis TN, then served for eighteen years as State Toxicologist for the State of Washington, with an appointment at the University of Washington in Seattle. For nine of those years he also served as Director of the Washington State Crime Laboratory System, which provided services in forensic biology, toxicology, chemistry, document examination, serology, DNA analysis, firearms and crime scene support. In 2008, Logan joined the United States leading forensic toxicology and chemistry reference laboratory - NMS labs - in Pennsylvania to direct their toxicology services. In 2010 he founded the CFSRE and in 2017, established www.NPSDiscovery.org the leading clearing-house for the dissemination of newly emergent drugs in the United States. He has over 150 publications and 600 presentations in forensic toxicology and analytical chemistry, including work on the effects of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana on drivers, and drug caused and related death. His recent work has focused on the analytical and interpretive toxicology of novel psychoactive substances (NPS). Dr Logan’s other appointments include Executive Director of the Robert F. Borkenstein course at Indiana University, and academic appointments at Arcadia University, and Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. In recognition of his work and contributions, Dr. Logan has received numerous national and international awards, and in 2013-14 served as President of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS). A recent bibliometric analysis of the impact of the world’s forensic scientists, positioned him as the leading contributor to research in the field of forensic toxicology in the United States, and sixth in the world. In the last ten years he has had extensive involvement with forensic scientists in Brazil, hosting graduate students from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, USP, and Campinas University at his laboratory in the United States, and visiting scientists from the Federal Police and State Crime Laboratories. He has presented multiple times at Interforensics, ENQFor, and Brazilian Academy of Forensic Sciences meetings. The CSFRE supports participation of young scientists from Brazil in the AAFS meeting and a reciprocal opportunity for young US scientists to attend Interforensics.