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Forensic Toxicology: The Study of Drugs and Their Effects
Toxicology involves the study of the toxic effects chemicals have on the body. The understanding of how the toxins in the substance act, when the harmfulness of the toxin may occur, and the symptoms and treatments for poisoning are all part of the study of toxicology. Forensic toxicology is used to aid in medical and legal investigations of poisoning, death, and drug use.
What Do Forensic Toxicologists Do?
A forensic toxicologist performs scientific tests on tissue samples and bodily fluids in order to determine whether any foreign drugs or chemicals are present in the body. As part of a crime investigating team, a forensic toxicologist will identify substances within the body that may have caused the crime. These substances may include illegal drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol, poison, metals, other chemicals, or gasses. The job of a forensic toxicologist may also include drug-testing employees, testing environmental areas for contamination, and testing an individual for performance enhancing drugs or the presence of “date rape” drugs.
Where Do Forensic Toxicologists Work?
Forensic toxicologists work in both the legal and medical industries providing invaluable information on poisons for court cases. Within the medical field, a forensic toxicologist works within poison control centers throughout the United States providing information about the safety of food and drugs. The Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, governmental health administrations, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission employ forensic toxicologists. Toxicologists also work with crime scene investigators providing information about substances that are involved. The knowledge provided by a forensic toxicologist can prove vital in determining the outcome of criminal cases.
Detection and Classification of Drugs
Forensic toxicologists will use a variety of methods to test for substances, with the method dependent on the type of drug the toxicologist expects to find. Some of the tests that are typically used to detect drugs, both prescription and illegal, include gas-liquid chromatography, immunoassay, and thin-layer chromatography. In order to use these tests for legal purposes, the technician must perform and confirm his original results with a second test. For some illegal drugs, such as marijuana, opiates, cocaine, and amphetamines, spot tests are sometimes used that involve testing blood or hair samples with a reagent solution.
Educational Requirements
In order to become a forensic toxicologist, an individual will need to first obtain a bachelor’s degree in one of the physical sciences such as biology or chemistry. Most employers consider coursework, including pharmacology, a plus. After working in the field for a minimum of three years, the American Board of Forensic Toxicology offers certification. In order to take the certification examination, a candidate must have references from at least two professionals who are currently practicing in the field of toxicology. Practicing forensic toxicologists must recertify every five years.
Forensic toxicologists have a wide variety of jobs to choose from between the medical and legal fields. They must know chemical compounds and how they react within the body in order to work within this industry. While it’s possible to obtain a degree in criminology to work in the toxicology field, most employers hire toxicologists who have a background in one of the sciences.
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