The major responsibility of a forensic toxicologist is to provide information to the judicial system on the effects of drugs and poisons. They are frequently senior toxicologists with extensive competence in other aspects of toxicology, such as analytical chemistry. They may appear in court as an expert witness to describe and explain the evidence pertaining to the case after gathering and evaluating the available toxicological evidence. These investigations can range from basic "drink-driving" incidents to tragic accident, suicide, and murder investigations involving poisoning, whether deliberate or accidental.
To separate, identify, and quantify drugs, endogenous molecules, and hazardous substances in forensic samples, forensic toxicologists employ advanced analytical processes. The sample matrix might vary widely, including body fluids, plant materials, and drug paraphernalia, and only little amounts of sample can often be obtained from the crime scene or the mortuary. They must evaluate the importance of this analytical data in order to find links between exposure levels and clinical outcomes. It's critical to comprehend how a chemical's metabolism might impact its concentration as well as its pharmacological or hazardous effects. Drug-drug interactions, tolerance, age-related effects, post-mortem redistribution, and individual variability should all be taken into account. The major responsibility of a forensic toxicologist is to provide information to the judicial system on the effects of drugs and poisons. They are frequently senior toxicologists with extensive competence in other aspects of toxicology, such as analytical chemistry.