Interpreting Analytical Toxicology Results

Abstract

The article describes approaches to the interpretation of drug and poison concentrations in blood and other human fluids and tissues. The three primary areas covered are forensic urine drug testing, human performance testing (e.g., impaired driving), and postmortem toxicology. The extent and accuracy with which interpretation of drug concentrations is possible is outlined in the context of the specimens analyzed, the circumstances of specimen collection, and other factors such as drug metabolism, tolerance, postmortem redistribution, and fermentation to produce ethanol.