Monthly Archives: April 2015
When Do I Need a Forensic Toxicologist?
It’s Not Just CSI: The Other Roles of a Forensic Toxicologist We may think of the forensic toxicologist as confined to a dreary morgue or laboratory, taking samples from cadavers and watching centrifuges spin. This is the image of forensic toxicology most of us have encountered in movies and television…
The Role of a Forensic Toxicologist in Court
Interpretation and Expertise: The Forensic Toxicologist as Expert Witness An expert witness is someone who is qualified to testify in court as an expert on a certain topic or field. Their expertise is due to their specialist knowledge, skills or education, and they should be able to justify their opinions…
A Brief History of Poisons and Forensic Toxicology
Silent Killers: Poisons and the Development of Forensic Toxicology Forensic Toxicology is the study of poisons, chemicals, and toxins for the purpose of investigation. Most often, we think of it as being used in criminal investigations ¬– popular television shows like CSI or Bones have brought forensic practices in to…
Forensic Toxicology and DUIs
The Role of Forensic Toxicology in DUI cases An endless stream of CSI and cop shows have conditioned us to believe that investigation units are comprised of fault-less staff determined to pursue the ends of justice to the letter. But much like any other group of employees, police officers and…
Duties of an Expert Witness
Putting the Expert in Expert Witness Despite what TV would have you believe, court cases are rarely won by lawyers alone. The truth is a good expert witness can make all the difference when it comes to final judgments – especially when one considers that the facts of a case…
Different Types of Samples Used by a Forensic Toxicologist
Forensic Toxicologists and The Samples They Use The law has come a long way since the first fingerprint was used to link a suspect to the scene of a crime. It’s unlikely anyone a century ago could have predicted the role of a forensic toxicologist and how their field has…