Test Your Knowledge of Forensic Toxicology

The Role of Forensic Toxicology in Criminal and Legal Investigations

• Toxicology is the study of poisons, toxins, illegal substances, and prescription medications on living organisms.
• The Greeks and Romans had knowledge of natural poisons and used death by poison as a form of capital punishment.
• Paracelsus, the father of toxicology, coined the principle that the dose makes the poison.
• Forensic toxicology analyzes biological samples to test for substances or chemicals and generate a toxicology report to determine the cause and manner of death.
• Alcohol and pharmaceuticals are the most important legal drugs that are abused, while cocaine, amphetamines, ecstasy, and opioids are the most important legally abused drugs.
• The types of samples analyzed depend on the type of death or incident that occurred, with most cases involving a death caused by drunk driving requiring a blood sample to test for alcohol levels.
• The liver is regularly analyzed as it processes most drugs and substances, and the contents of the stomach can provide useful information in cases of suspected overdose or poisoning.
• Forensic toxicologists are required to conduct their analysis in a standardized and methodical way to testify to their findings in court.
• At least two independent analyses need to be performed to achieve a positive identification of a substance or toxin, often using different testing methods.
• Quantitative testing is required to determine how much of the substance is involved and can indicate the extent of the individual's intoxication at the time of death.
• Toxicology tests can take days, weeks, or even months to complete, and the results are combined into the final toxicology report, which is an important piece of evidence for investigators.
• Forensic toxicology played a crucial role in the case of Janie Gibbs, who was convicted of killing her husband, three sons, and grandson using arsenic, and would have gotten away with it without the help of forensic toxicologists.