Key Areas of Forensic Toxicology
Role in Investigations
- Identify toxins, drugs, or poisons in body fluids and tissues.
- Assist medico-legal autopsies in determining cause of death.
- Support criminal and civil litigation cases.
Major Branches
- Postmortem Toxicology: Determine substances contributing to death.
- Human Performance Toxicology: Assess impact of substances on behavior.
- Forensic Drug Testing: Workplace, sports, and military testing.
Analytical Techniques
- GC-MS, HPLC, ELISA
- Atomic Absorption & Spectrophotometry
- Immunoassay Screening
Common Substances
- Alcohols and Volatile Compounds
- Heavy Metals: Lead, Mercury, Arsenic
- Drugs of Abuse: Opioids, Cocaine, Cannabis
- Pesticides and Prescription Drugs
Applications in Justice
- Determining cause and manner of death
- Expert testimony in court cases
- Public health and safety insights
- Support for criminal investigations
