Establishing Causation through the Help of a Medical Expert Witness

Having an expert witness, however, does not automatically guarantee the success of the case – it is but one aspect of a court proceeding, and there will be other factors that will be considered for a ruling to be made. Still, clients should make sure of the expert’s qualifications and specialties before hiring one.

When looking for a toxicology expert witness, for example, to establish the harmful effect of a certain substance to people, someone who has excellent knowledge of toxins and other dangerous contaminants can help.

http://www.environmentaldiseases.com/blog/2014/01/08/establishing-causation-through-the-help-of-a-medical-expert-witness/

Research May Help in Forensic Toxicology in Identifying Heroin Abuse

These findings can be of big help in the field of forensic toxicology as well as in other industries that need accurate drug results for various purposes. While there are some claims that poppy seed ingestion does not make false-positive results in hair tests, forensic specialists have doubts as to its accuracy. This is why urinalysis remains the top choice when it comes to detecting substance use.

Should the study regarding the use of marker for street heroin prove successful, a forensic toxicologist will be able to provide an expert opinion regarding a person’s heroin use based on the chemicals found on the urine sample.

http://www.environmentaldiseases.com/blog/2014/01/07/research-may-help-in-forensic-toxicology-in-identifying-heroin-abuse/

Facts About the Dangers of Lead Poisoning

Lead is one of the naturally-occurring metals that can prove very poisonous to humans, especially when ingested or inhaled over an extended period. Lead buildup in the body could cause various illnesses including cancer and even brain damage. What do you do when you suspect that someone you know has been poisoned by this substance?

Lead poisoning is very unlikely to be new; experts believe that mankind has been using lead for more than 6,000 years. Children are at the highest risk of contracting diseases from lead exposure because they are more sensitive than adults and they usually put things in their mouths, particularly objects that may be contaminated by lead dust.

If you suspect that you or a loved one is suffering from lead poisoning, see a doctor immediately. When lead poisoning tests prove positive and you decide to file a case for investigation and penalty, you might as well seek the help of a highly-qualified medical expert witness.

Consulting a reputable toxicology expert witness is necessary to obtaining a professional opinion on causation. Toxicologists have extensive knowledge and experience on the nature and effects of toxins and poisons including chemicals, pharmaceutical products, metals, and alcohol.

As professionals, toxicologists can conduct thorough analysis or scientific investigation and present an unbiased report after research for purposes of litigation. Through this method, the court will be able to determine whether or not there is negligence on the part of the defendant.

Forensic Toxicology Can Debunk the Poppy Defense

When it comes to detecting substance abuse, urinalysis remains to be the tool of choice by forensic toxicologists. Recent improvements in drug tests may soon accurately separate positive cases of heroin use from false-positive ones, wherein individuals have only ingested poppy seeds and not taken an illegal drug. These false-positive cases have presented problems to authorities because of the possibility that drug users may only be using the “poppy seed defense” to their advantage.

The term relates to how people can test positive for heroin abuse simply by consuming pastries made using poppy seeds. Depending on the quantity of seeds consumed, a person may test positive even up to 60 hours after ingesting the food containing poppy seeds.

While there are some claims that poppy seed ingestion do not make false-positive results in hair tests, forensic specialists have doubts as to its accuracy. This is why urinalysis remains the top choice when it comes to detecting substance use.

Should subsequent studies regarding the use of effective markers for street heroin prove successful, forensic toxicologists will be able to provide an expert opinion regarding a person’s alleged heroin use based on the chemicals found on the urine sample. Such professionals can help a defense or plaintiff attorney with accurate medical assessments regarding the sobriety or condition of the individual in question.

Keys to Choosing an Expert Witness

Criminal cases are won by a single expert testimony, be it by a ballistics specialist, a criminal psychology professional or a toxicologist. Oftentimes, it is the lawyer’s job to secure a witness who can help disprove his client’s involvement in the case. So how exactly does one choose an expert witness?

Choose the Field

Fields of specialization include forensic, environmental, and medical toxicology, internal medicine, and clinical pharmacology. For example, if the case involves poisoning, then you should look for a toxicology expert witness. You can also get in touch with a reputable expert witness referral service for assistance.

Consultant

You will have to hire an expert witness that will act as a consultant to study the case and provide results. A ballistics expert for instance, will inspect bullet wounds and trajectories to find a link between the suspect and the victim. A toxicologist on the other hand, will check for evidence of administered poisons to find out if the victim indeed died or was almost killed by poisoning.

Witness

After the expert has obtained results, the court will convene him to testify (take note that you have the call on how much information the witness can divulge, as long as you’re not burying evidence). You may also need to brief your expert on what questions he might be facing in the course of his examination and cross-examination.

Solving Crime Behind the Scenes

Between NCIS and its spin-off NCIS: Los Angeles, about 39 million people tune in each week to watch special agents solves crimes committed by or against members of the US Navy. Indeed, Americans enjoys their crime procedurals, with no less than seven joining the top 25 most-watched programs of the 2012-2013 TV season. Invariably, it’s the astute detective or the incisive agent that gets top billing in these programs, but a huge part of crime solving actually occurs behind the scenes in medical laboratories.

Indeed, forensics allows law enforcement agencies to crack even the most complicated crimes thanks to meticulous scientific tests. One of the most prominent forensic specialists are forensic toxicologists, experts who examine body fluids and tissue for traces of chemicals that might have contributed to a victim’s untimely demise.

If a defendant is appealing his drunk driving charge, a forensic toxicologist will examine field sobriety results as well as blood alcohol level tests to determine the driver’s culpability. They also help in cases where a victim is suspected to have been poisoned by checking the deceased’s blood and other body fluids for poisonous drugs, chemicals, or metals. Once they finish the investigation, forensic toxicologists can be asked to appear in court as expert witnesses who will explain their findings in layman’s terms to the judge and the jury.

While crime dramas make for engaging television shows, don’t forget that law enforcers can’t solve crimes without the help of forensic toxicology.

How a Medical Expert Witness Can Help Solve Your Lead Poisoning Case

Consulting a reputable toxicology expert witness is necessary to obtaining a professional opinion on causation. Toxicologists have extensive knowledge and experience on the nature and effects of toxins and poisons including chemicals, pharmaceutical products, metals, and alcohol. From testing food products to identifying water quality and determining the safety of cosmetics, they play a huge role in our everyday lives. As professionals, toxicologists can conduct thorough analysis or scientific investigation and present an unbiased report after research for purposes of litigation. They may also give their testimony in court and assist with responses when the need arises. Through this method, the court will be able to determine whether or not the there is negligence on the part of the defendant.

http://www.environmentaldiseases.com/blog/2013/11/14/how-a-medical-expert-witness-can-help-solve-your-lead-poisoning-case/