Toxicology in the Forensic Lab

Abstract

AbstractToxicology is the science of poisons and their effects on the human body. Toxicologists deal with those substances that may cause bodily harm if taken in ­sufficient quantity, including drugs and alcohol. Since poisons are present in all aspects of our lives, toxicologists perform their craft in a number of ­different situations, including forensic labs and medical examiner offices. The toxicological aspect of the forensic lab involves two fundamental types of investigation: ­antemortem and postmortem. In postmortem toxicology, samples of body fluids are collected and sent to the toxicology lab for study by the toxicology staff in an effort to determine what role those poisons may have played in the death. Toxicology ­performed on samples from living individuals may include driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI), driving under the influence of drugs (DUID), and drug-facilitated sexual assault. As an example, erratic driving may be caused by any number of medical conditions as well as drugs or alcohol. Although police officers are well trained in evaluating individuals in these situations, only the results of the toxicology exam can tell for sure whether a drug is involved. The role of the toxicologist in the forensic lab is to perform accurate, thorough ­analyses of evidence in order to provide only the best data for use in legal proceedings.KeyWordsPostmortemDUIDUIDDFSAalcoholpoisons