Introduction to forensic toxicology

Forensic toxicology is the application of toxicology for purposes of the law, and currently in the United States is separated into three distinct disciplines: human performance toxicology, postmortem toxicology, and forensic drug testing (FDT). Human performance toxicology involves specimens from living individuals, the detection of drugs therein, and the likely effects on individual impairment. Postmortem toxicology is the analysis and interpretation of specimens from deceased individuals. FDT is a workplace drug testing system that is administered by the federal government for transportation and other sensitive employment areas that require drug testing. Forensic toxicologists determine the presence or absence of drugs or poisons and then seek to interpret the finding within the context of the matter being investigated. The importance that forensic toxicology findings have in the courtroom has brought about certification of individuals, accreditation of laboratories, and strict laboratory quality control programs.