Toxicology

Forensic toxicologists perform scientific tests on bodily fluids and tissue samples to identify any drugs or chemicals present in the body.
As part of a team investigating a crime, a forensic toxicologist will isolate and identify any substances in the body that may have contributed to the crime, such as:
* alcohol
* illegal or prescription drugs
* other chemicals
* poisons
* metals
* gases, such as carbon monoxide
Working in a lab, the forensic toxicologist performs tests on samples collected by crime scene investigators. They use highly sophisticated instruments, chemical reagents and precise methodologies to determine the presence or absence of specific substances in the sample.
The work requires patience and the ability to follow specific steps to achieve reliable results. The forensic toxicologist must document every step of the process, and take care to follow rules regarding chain of custody for physical evidence.
The field of forensic toxicology has grown to include drug testing for employers and traffic enforcement officials, testing of animal samples for wildlife criminal investigators, testing for “date rape” drugs and performance-enhancing substances.
Forensic toxicologists also work on cases involving environmental contamination, to determine the impact of chemical spills on nearby populations.
Investigators rely on the forensic toxicologist to make reliable conclusions about the impact a specific amount of a specific substance would have on a specific individual. Often, this requires the professional to form an educated opinion based on science and experience.
If asked to testify in court, the forensic toxicologist must be prepared to justify that opinion and to explain complex methodologies in terms a jury can understand.