Forensic Toxicology: The Need for Expert Witnesses

Dealing with mysterious criminal cases requires forensic science to obtain fact-based evidence. All evidence has to be carefully examined by a forensic toxicologist, a professional who has vast knowledge of chemicals and their effects on physical matter. A forensic toxicologist in this scenario becomes an expert witness and his opinion can serve either the defense or the prosecution.

The Different Forms of Misdiagnosis

Did you know that as much as 1 in 20 patients in outpatient clinics or doctor’s offices are misdiagnosed every year? That’s according to a recent study published in the BMJ Quality & Safety journal. This figure does not include similar cases that may have happened in hospital settings. 

 

Misdiagnosis can come in several forms, including those discussed below.

Doing too little

In some instances, the diagnosis completely misses the patient’s condition, or passes off a serious illness or injury as non-serious. For instance, stomach pains that are treated simply as constipation could later be found to be a case of internal bleeding or a cancerous growth. Improper diagnosis or treatment can be construed as negligence on the part of the doctor.

Doing too much

Conversely, the doctor may diagnose a patient with a serious condition. A mass detected in radiographic images and treated with cancer-fighting drugs may turn out on further examination to be benign. Excessive or unnecessary treatment which stems from erroneous medical judgments or aggressive treatment approaches can also constitute negligence.

These two main types of misdiagnosis can result to serious harm or even death, which could be grounds for a medical malpractice suit. In proving that negligence had indeed transpired, the testimony of an internal medicine or forensic toxicology expert can be helpful. Such a professional can identify deviant treatments, poisoning drugs, and other possible harmful factors that can arise from medical negligence.

Figuring out Alcohol Poisoning

Once in a while, it’s good to have a drink with your friends; you bond and talk with them over a few shots, and simply enjoy each other’s company. However, time does fly when you’re having fun and it’s possible that you would have downed several shots more than you think you had. Such instances can result into alcohol poisoning, and if something bad does happen, a forensic toxicology specialist will help uncover the truth.

Pegging BAC Levels at DUI Cases

One of the most significant pieces of evidence presented in a driving under the influence (DUI) case will be the suspect’s blood alcohol content (BAC). The BAC level is often determined in a breathalyzer test, but the numbers are not just markers. They can also help identify how impaired the suspect was from the drinking. A forensic toxicology professional may assist pegging the degree, and all states will have an associated threshold.

Persons with a BAC of between 0.06% and 0.10% often experience problems with depth perception, reasoning, and vision, as well as lowered levels of pleasure. Speech slurs, slower reflexes, and mood swings are hallmarks of BACs between 0.11% and 0.20%. You may have witnessed incidents where the drunk suspect forcefully brushed off people and groggily insisted nothing was wrong with them.

BACs of 0.21% up to 0.29% trigger potential memory blackouts, loss of consciousness, and seriously impaired sensations. People should watch out if the BAC cracked the 0.30% barrier, however. The suspect can be flitting in and out of consciousness, depressed, or is close to death because of drops in the heart rate.

Determining the BAC and the associated effects will make a difference in building a case against the suspect. The police will also assist with other facts.

Real CSI: Forensic Toxicology Clinches Cases

When people hear the word “forensics,” the image that most likely pops up in their mind is that of the scientist-detectives of the popular CSI show. However, the pop culture image is far from the truth. Crime scene investigators do exist, but what they mostly do is gather the evidence. The bulk of the real crime-solving is done inside the laboratories.

Most of the heavy lifting is done by specialists in forensic toxicology. They are the ones who help identify any foreign substances found in the scene of the crime. This expert knowledge is why many forensic toxicologists are called to the stand during trials; their expertise can help prove the guilt or innocence of a defendant.

An example of a case where forensic toxicology greatly helps is in drunk-driving cases, wherein knowing the precise level of alcohol in a person’s blood can ultimately determine the verdict. Another use for it is to identify if someone has recently used illegal drugs.

Testimony from an expert forensic toxicologist can also help lawsuits against companies that have endangered people because of their illegal practices. Tests would determine if pollutants can be found in the local drinking water or if a contractor has used too much asbestos in a construction project. When proof beyond reasonable doubt is needed, the scientific results of a toxicology test are hard to beat.

Forensic Toxicology Complexity Suggests More Care in Hiring Witnesses

The article explains that producing evidence through forensic science is not that simple. Lack of sufficient experience in handling different types of cases may yield fallible findings and lead to wrongful convictions (or acquittals).

The hired forensic toxicologist who will examine the evidence must have extensive knowledge and experience in handling urine, blood, and oral samples. Experience proves important, especially in cases that involve examination of bacteria and maggots from decomposing matter. Inexperienced toxicologists may not be comfortable handling such samples and their health might be at risk.

http://www.environmentaldiseases.com/blog/2014/04/01/forensic-toxicology-complexity-suggests-more-care-in-hiring-witnesses/

The Dangers of Asbestos Poisoning

Asbestos is a common substance found in many buildings, as it has been a common building material since the 50s. Mainly it is used for insulation and fire protection. However, recent studies have shown that while it doesn’t affect the body immediately, it might have some long term repercussions that could even prove fatal, which is why many forensic toxicologists often look into it as a possible cause of poisoning. 

Prescription Drugs in Light of Forensic Toxicology

Medicine has always utilized pharmaceuticals in the treatment of their patients. Drug recommendation and administration are both part of the complex web of patient treatment. Generally, these substances in virtually all forms of matter are aimed to yield eradication of a disease. If this were not possible, the drugs would at least relieve the ailment's symptoms.

What is Hair Testing?

Hair is made up of keratin, a strong structural protein that comprises three parts, the medulla, the cortex, and the cuticle. Beyond its anthropological and biological meaning, this biomaterial has the ability to store what passes through the body. That’s why the courts use hair testing as a way to remove a person from suspicion or connect certain suspects with criminal activity. Forensic toxicologists are the people responsible for the analyzing of hair for the courts.

Forensic Toxicology On Making Sense of Substance Abuse At the Wheel

The toxicology data gathered during tests of a DUI suspect matter the most to prosecutors who may think the suspect committed other acts as a segue to the original offense. The substances found in the suspect’s bloodstream will also provide more clues regarding their mental state. For instance, Bieber admitted that he smoked a joint at a recording studio before the arrest, but the source of the marijuana is not yet known.

A skilled forensic toxicologist like Dr. Brautbar has an array of other skills to further shed light on any vague facts of the case. These include making recommendations to case handlers on further angles to pursuing and examining patients, as well as establishing cause and effect using all evidence at hand.

http://www.environmentaldiseases.com/blog/2014/02/03/forensic-toxicology-on-making-sense-of-substance-abuse-at-the-wheel/

For Child Safety: Major Chemicals to Avoid

Babies and toddlers tend to put their toys in their mouths while playing and curiously discovering the world around them. Medical experts advise that you pay extra attention to these 3 unsafe substances that can be in your child's toys. Knowing what to keep your eye on can help you deal with the situation properly.

Lead 

Nervous system damage and delayed development are some effects of lead poisoning. Lead used to be a chief component of paint before federal law banned its use in 1978. However, the substance can still be found in older houses and some imported “play jewelry” and toys. 

How to Avoid 

Frequently mop floors, wipe surfaces with a damp cloth, and ensure that paint on surfaces is in good condition. Steer clear of imported toys and children’s jewelry from places that haven't banned the use of lead in toys. 

Bisphenol A (BPA) and Phthalates 

These two chemicals disturb the natural cycle of reproductive development: BPA influences early puberty in girls, and phthalates causes low testosterone in boys. Companies already stopped utilizing these substances to produce baby bottles and children’s sippy cups. However, some still use such substances to line food and beverage cans and bottled formula and to soften vinyl plastic, such as raincoats and backpacks. 

How to Avoid 

Refrain from microwaving food in plastic containers as this releases BPA and other harmful chemicals into the food. Avoid buying toys made from PVC plastic. Instead, purchase toxin-free toys and other items that are BPA-free and phthalate-free.

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/

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.

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.

Voices in Your Head: The Role Hair Can Play in Forensic Toxicology

As efficient as it may be, hair can be quite a challenge in forensic labs, particularly because there are so many factors that affect the success rate of of obtaining a DNA sample. For instance, the chemicals that have been mixed into the hair as a result of dyeing can alter the cuticles, and can even contribute to the degradation of hair DNA. An efficient forensic toxicologist, like one from Environmental Diseases, works with many body samples like hair, skin, blood, and other bodily fluids so as to render an accurate opinion on the diseases, poisons, drug use or other medical conditions. These experts are often called upon by courts to stand as witnesses for criminal cases.

http://www.environmentaldiseases.com/blog/2013/11/13/voices-in-your-head-the-role-hair-can-play-in-forensic-toxicology/

What is Forensic Toxicology?

The early 1800s and early 1900s are usually referred to by era historians as the “golden age of poisoning”. The incidence of poisoning was so high during the said period that scientists became driven to find antidotes or solutions, eventually giving birth the science of forensic toxicology. The tasks of forensic toxicologists include the examination of blood, tissue samples, and body fluids of a victim to determine if the cause of death was due to drugs or other poisonous substances.

Generally, forensic toxicology is a discipline in forensic science that focuses on the study of toxic substances. To be more specific, it involves the study of drugs, alcohol, and poisons, and their absorption, distribution, and effect to the human body. There are four disciplines under forensic toxicology, namely death investigation toxicology, human performance toxicology, doping control, and forensic workplace drug testing.

Death investigation toxicology focuses on identifying the role of alcohol, drugs, and poison as the cause of death of some people, and is typically practiced by pathologists and medical examiners. On the other hand, human performance toxicology tackles the effects of alcohol and drugs on the performance and behavior of humans.

Finally, doping control is frequently applied in the world of competitive sports as it assists in detecting the use of banned performance enhancing drugs by athletes. Forensic workplace drug testing is used to ensure that employees or workers are compliant with safety standards that strictly prohibit the use and abuse of illegal drugs or substances.

How Forensic Toxicology Professionals Can Help Victims Seek Justice

A toxicology report by a third expert indicated that Blumenschein's acute severe metabolic acidosis "more likely than not" was due to ethylene glycol poisoning. Thankfully, the victim in this particular case survived, and his testimony against the accused can count as a vital piece of evidence. However, what about those victims who weren't able to survive similar atrocities done to them? In these cases, their families and loved ones can rely on expert forensic toxicology practitioners in their fight for justice. A highly qualified forensic toxicologist like Dr. Nachman Brautbar thoroughly examines every piece of evidence obtained from crime scenes for poisons, such as hair, fibers, and blood using state-of-the-art equipment. Unlike in TV shows, the process of scrutinizing them is meticulous so that nothing is missed and accurate results are produced. Afterward, they can provide an unbiased and comprehensive report of their findings.

http://www.environmentaldiseases.com/blog/2013/10/01/how-forensic-toxicology-professionals-can-help-victims-seek-justice/

How Forensic Toxicology Can Help Solve Crimes Using Only Hair Strands

"Hair analysis isn't really a new method in forensic toxicology. Its first recorded use was in the 1850s when a case was solved because of traces of arsenic found in the hair of the corpse that was exhumed 11 years after the time of death. However, there are a host of chemicals that human hair is exposed to these days, especially from cosmetic products. To prevent these chemicals from affecting the findings, professionals in the field usually take them into account when interpreting the results. Even then, toxicology testings can take a long time due to various reasons, like specimen quality and the nature of the chemicals to be tested. There is also the simple fact that working with hair strands is very different from analyzing urine and blood samples. A competent forensic toxicologist such as Dr. Nachman Brautbar are needed now more than ever as technology improves and crimes become more complex. More than being able to perform drug testing, their expertise is needed in showi

http://www.environmentaldiseases.com/blog/2013/10/01/how-forensic-toxicology-can-help-solve-crimes-using-only-hair-strands/

Entering the Odd and Exciting World of Forensics

The world is full of jobs that only a certain type of people can handle: jobs that involve intricacies and require a keen interest in research before professionals could be qualified to perform extraordinary duties. One of these jobs is forensic toxicology.

There are not too many people who enter the world of forensics because of its very demanding nature. For one to become a toxicologist, a student should have a genuine interest in science, especially in clinical and analytical chemistry and pharmacology. One should also have the courage to cut open a cadaver and get in contact with all types of bodily fluids like blood, urine, and saliva, among others.

The student will also be exposed to practically all internal organs, as there will be times when tissue samples need to be obtained or extracted from the brain, liver, and eyes, to name a few. A forensic toxicologist's job is crucial, as the data they gather are important pieces of a crime puzzle. They are expected to provide reliable interpretation of laboratory results with regards to the presence of toxic chemicals on the deceased and their possible effects on the body.

Forensics is an exciting career path and becoming a toxicologist is one way of entering a world of gathering evidence, finding clues, and solving mysteries.

A Look into How Forensic Toxicology Experts Assist Criminal Courts

Forensic toxicology, in particular, is a study involving the analysis and testing of different drugs, alcohol and poisonous substances present in bodily fluids.

http://www.environmentaldiseases.com/blog/2013/09/03/a-look-into-how-forensic-toxicology-experts-assist-criminal-courts/