What are Forensic Toxicology?
Toxicology, in general, is the study of chemicals and poisons; FORENSIC toxicology is the analysis of all aspects of toxicity having to do with medical or legal implications involved with death, poisoning, or drug use.
(Sub-Categories of Toxicology:)
• Occupational Toxicology
- chemical hazards
• Environmental Toxicology
- chemicals produced by humans or that are present in the environment
General Areas of
Forensic Toxicology
Postmortem Drug Testing=
- Having to do with death investigations, to establish if drugs were the cause or contributing factors of death
(Determination if death was accidental, suicidal, or homicidal)
Workplace Drug Testing=
- Testing biofluids (blood or urine) from employees, or job applicants, for possible presence of drugs