Toxicology is the study of poisons pertaining to legal matters. They will aid the Forensic Pathologis
t in determining the cause of death. The Toxicologists will analyze the various toxins found in tissue throughout the body.
There are three major areas of this method of forensics:
(1) Postmortem drug testing which establishes whether drugs contributed to the cause of death. This can be either accidental or deliberate drug overdose, however not many of these deaths are homicides.
(2) They will also be involved in workplace drug testing. In this case, the Forensic Toxicologist can test specific occupations typically at random as the law permits. It can involve employees and most often, job applicants. This law is primarily in place for public safety as it has been shown that individuals who use drugs are less reliable and productive.
(3) Lastly, a Forensic Toxicologist will examine contraband in order to identify prohibited drugs. It must be proven that substances seized from a suspect is in fact an illegal substance in order to follow through with the unlawful possession charge. This procedure is in place in order to prevent drug abuse.
Visit the Society of Toxicology Canada here, for more information!
