Information Exchange and Computerized Data Retrieval for Toxicology

Abstract

Computer applications in toxicology have been under development in our laboratory at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) during the past eight years, and our progress in this field has been reported periodically in two films and papers presented at scientific meetings [1–5]. Computerized retrieval of ultraviolet spectral data, infrared spectral data, and gas chromatographic data has been included in these presentations, and more recently the Registry of Human Toxicology, maintained by the toxicology section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), has been programmed through our efforts so that computerized information files are now available for rapid access. As interest in computerization continues to grow, and computer systems are incorporated into laboratory operations (whether as dedicated instruments to control analytical equipment, or as information retrieval facilities provided by a data processing center on a time-sharing basis), the concept of a large information bank with rapid retrieval capability is most appealing to the researcher who must keep up with current developments, as well as to the toxicologist with an unusual case. The project described in this paper is an attempt to meet this requirement.