Toxicology

Toxicology is the study of the results of poisions. Through toxicology, forensic scientists can determine whether someone has been using drugs. A toxicology test can evaluate accidental or intentional overdose, drug dependency, etc. Some reasons for a toxicology are: alcoholism, kidney poisoning, delirium, overdose,

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withdrawl, etc. Additionally, toxicology is part of an autopsy report. Before a toxicology test, blood, urine, and tissue samples are collected. Blood samples are collected from different parts of the body because different drugs have different effects and concentrations on the body. Sometimes, gastric contents are obtained by giving a medication, causing a person to vomit. Forensic toxicology often include tissue samples from the liver, brain, kidney, and vitreous humor (the clear gelatin-like part of the eye). Gastric contents and bile, a fat-digesting secretion, are also collected for forensic toxicology. (Sources: The New York Times Toxicology Screen and The Truth About Toxicology Tests)

Toxicologists, chemists, and pathologists must all agree upon the interpretation of the toxicology test. When screening blood and urine, the main key would be to search for various drug and alcohol usage. These experts will also notice the usage of multiple drugs at the same time because the effect would be significantly stronger than one drug at a time. (Source: The Truth About Toxicology Tests)