ABSTRACT
There are two forensic disciplines that work with drugs and poisons—toxicology and seized drug analysis. Both use many of the same analytical tools, but their task differs significantly. The primary job of forensic toxicologists is the analysis of biological samples such as blood and tissue for the presence of drugs, poisons, and their metabolites. Toxicologists work in concert with medical examiner (ME) offices and coroners to assist in determining manner and mechanism of death. In any questioned death, samples are collected at autopsy for toxicological analysis in which toxicologists search for the presence of drugs or poisons. When present, these compounds may have directly caused the death, such as in an overdose. The dose of any compound is an important consideration in determining the degree of toxicity, but other factors, such as the mode of ingestion, how it is metabolized, the toxicity of the metabolites, and how long they stay in the body, also must be considered.
