ABSTRACT
The laboratory should have experience and protocols for packaging and transportation of toxicological samples, be familiar with the strategy for the chain of custody, be certified as a forensic toxicology laboratory, and have standard procedures and practices. The certification of a forensic toxicology laboratory is offered by several organizations. Briefly, veterinary forensic toxicology is the assessment of chemicals, toxins, and poisons that may enter the body of an animal. The method of absorption can be influenced by absorption enhancing chemicals such as dimethyl sulfoxide gel that can enhance the transcutaneous absorption. The investigation of animal intoxications begins with defining a level of suspicion that either toxins, poisons, drugs, or chemicals are involved in the activities to be investigated. The mathematical description is complicated by biological, chemical, and molecular factors but is valuable for estimating the absorption, distribution, elimination, and therefore the toxicity of known agents. The understanding of toxicodynamics allows insight into the molecular and biochemical methods of intoxication.
