How Gunshot Residue Helps or Hinders a Case
Once considered a critical piece of evidence within criminal trials, the reliability of using gunshot residue (GSR) as evidence has become a point of contention. This is mainly due to the possibility of tampering and the multiple factors by which someone could have exposure to the substance. In order to…
What Is A Toxicology Co-Counsel?
California courts are faced with an overwhelming number of cases each year. Ensuring thorough preparation of a legal case is important to ensure your case has a stronger argument when it’s heard in court. This sometimes requires enlisting the help of an expert witness or co-counsel. Forensics and toxicology are…
The Legalities of Hospital Blood Testing
The legalities behind hospital blood testing have crept their way into the media several times. When a patient arrives at the hospital, there are certain conditions that need to be met in order for their blood to be tested. These conditions may vary from state to state. In many instances,…
Defining the Role of a Forensic Lawyer
Forensic lawyers are experts in both law and forensic science. The intersection of science and law has allowed for new tools and methodologies for discovering truth. Okorie Okorocha has served as an expert witness in over 280 trials. His role is to help juries understand complex, scientific concepts and to…
Narcopouch Tests – Drug Testing Made Easy
A narcopouch test is a presumptive test designed to identify illegal substances. After analysis, a presumptive test will tell you one of two things. It is definitely not a certain substance or the sample is probably the suspected substance. Similar to a portable chemistry lab, narcopouch tests are self-contained, providing…
The Pros and Cons of Sweat Patches For Drug Testing
The use of sweat patches as a method of drug testing is a relatively new development in the field of forensic toxicology. Sweat patch drug testing is becoming increasingly popular among employers screening employees and job applicants for drug use, although sweat patches are typically used to monitor persons on…
Forensic Toxicology: The Accuracy of Drug and Driving Impairment Measures
Within the field of forensic toxicology, studies can be done on the effect of drug consumption on driving abilities, in order to measure impairment levels. The extent of scientific study on the relationship between drugs and driving impairment is increasing and vast, however, much more research needs to be done!…
Help – I Need An Expert Witness
An important thing any professional learns while studying their field is when to call an expert. Whether you are a doctor, engineer, historian, or architect, there will always be some aspect of your field that you will need to refer to someone else’s better qualified judgement. It is the same…
What Causes a False Positive Drug Test Result
Drug screening results can really affect the lives and circumstances of those it involves. Accuracy in how these drug tests are carried out is of high importance as the results can have long lasting consequences for the individuals involved. False positive drug test results are a real possibility in today’s…
The Accuracy of Alcohol Testing
In the United States of America, a blood alcohol concentrate (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, is considered illegal if you are behind the wheel of a vehicle. Alcohol testing is used to determine if the BAC level is above the legal limits. Main Methods Of Alcohol Testing There are three…
Forensic Toxicology: How Drugs Affect Driving
In many criminal investigations it may be that analytical information is needed or testing required regarding the presence of substances at a crime scene or within a person’s body. This is the purpose of forensic toxicology: to test bodily fluids or other substances for toxic chemicals in order to obtain…
How Doses Influence Drug Toxicology: Pharmacodynamics
Studying the effects drugs have on the body, known as pharmacodynamics, is particularly important to drug toxicologists. In this next article of our Drug Driving series, a drug toxicologist will explain everything you need to know about what drugs do to your body. What Does Pharmacodynamics Mean? Unlike the study…
