Category: Forensic Toxicology
These Machines Can Put You In Jail: The Truth About Breathalyzer Tests
It’s not uncommon for law enforcement to use breathalyzer tests for estimating the blood alcohol content in a driver’s system. The controversial results of these tests are then used as a case for charging someone with a DUI. What many people don’t realize is that the accuracy of these breathalyzer…
How DNA Contamination Can Alter Court Cases
When a crime occurs, scientists may use DNA evidence to ascertain who are possible suspects and, in some cases, find them guilty in court. Yet relying so heavily on such a sensitive test can have consequences, especially in criminal court cases. How Does DNA Contamination Happen? As forensic technology has…
I Have A Medical Marijuana Card: What Do I Need To Know?
Legalizing marijuana continues to be a hot topic in the United States, whether speaking about recreational or medicinal use. At the time of printing, it was legal to purchase marijuana for medical use in 33 states – with more states, such as Kentucky, advancing bills for legalizing. If you have…
How Accurate Is Sweat Patch Testing?
Toxicology plays a large role in various legal cases by serving as evidence for or against the presence of drugs and alcohol in the human body. As the science of toxicology constantly progresses and advances, different methods are introduced to the industry. While many of these methods are employed in…
Can Blood Testing Determine The Age Of A Person?
Forensic Science has progressed over the years, with the advancements in blood testing proving to be extremely useful in many cases. Although TV shows today, such as CSI or True Detective, make blood testing and DNA analysis seem unsurpassable, the current forms of blood testing have had their limitations. Up…
Toxicology Report On The Impact Of The Opioid Epidemic
The United States has paid a heavy toll for the nation’s opioid epidemic. Opioid-related deaths have placed a heavy burden on the country and one of the hidden impacts of this crisis is how it affects American pathologists across the United States. The Opioid Epidemic From 2001-2016, opioid-related deaths increased…
Forensic Toxicologist Thoughts On New Protocols For Drug Testing
Forensic toxicologists all over the country are tasked with testing evidence collected from all of the crime scenes that law enforcement personnel investigate. This testing includes drug evidence from every crime scene imaginable, from homicides to simple traffic citations for drug possession charges. Defendants, attorneys, prosecutors, and law enforcement rely…
Various Types Of DUI Alcohol Testing
In the state of Los Angeles, driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or other intoxicants, such as drugs, is considered a criminal offence. However, in order to prosecute someone or charge someone for DUI, you need to prove that the person was actually impaired while driving. There are different…
How Drug Testing Keeps It Fresh
With the advent of synthetic and designer drugs, testing for illicit substances has become more complicated. Black market laboratories are far more high-tech than they used to be, and law enforcement are hard-pressed to keep up with all the new drugs on the market. It is increasingly important for drug…
Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology
Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology is an academic journal that claims to bridge the divide between the legal aspects of pharmacology and toxicology, and the science between these subjects. Although it does publish articles that focus on the creation, interpretation and analysis of data derived from human and animal experiments, it…
How Does Death Affect Forensic Toxicology Findings
Forensic toxicology is used to determine what chemicals were ingested or present at a crime scene, including trace elements and residue. The forensic toxicologist’s findings determine what chemicals were present, and in what concentration, at the time of death. Determining what substances a person ingested, can be complicated by absorption,…
A Detailed Look At Forensic Pathology
Forensic pathology is an important and necessary function in the field of physiological science and crime scene investigations. What is the Role of a Forensic Pathologist? In the field of pathology, a forensic pathologist, commonly referred to as a medical examiner or coroner, is a trained physician whose role it…
