Unit.A.6.1. Forensic Toxicology

Points of information to focus on in this unit are:

Australia	focus points

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Canada	focus points

toxicology laboratory an tests

"The toxicology laboratory at the medical examiners office functions mainly to confirm or deny suspicions about drug medication that may develop during scene investigation, examination of the body, or review of the social and medical history of the deceased" (Alberta Justice, 1993, p. 13).

"Toxicology in the medical examiner's office involves post-mortem material, including usual body fluids, plus fluid from the eye, often stomach contents, a portion of the liver, and sometimes liver and brain" (Alberta Justice, 1993, p. 13).

"The commonest toxicology test involves the search for alcohol" (Alberta Justice, 1993, p. 13).

"In Alberta, the most common "drug related" deaths are those involving an overdose of "legitimate" (prescribed or over the counter) medication as opposed to an illicit drug, such as cocaine and narcotics" (Alberta Justice, 1993, p. 14).

France	focus points

father of toxicology

"The emergence of modern chemistry as a bona fide science in the late 1700's led to discoveries which were applicable to crime investigation and detection. One of the first celebrated cases in forensic science involved the 'father of toxicology', Mathieu Orfila (1787-1853), who worked in Paris and testified in an arsenic poisoning criminal trial in 1840 (De Forest, Gaensslen & Lee, 1983). Orfila and others had developed a chemical test to detect arsenic, the poison of choice for the period because the symptoms, violent stomach pains and vomiting, were similar to cholera (a common disease of the times) and often went undetected" (Almirall & Furton, 1995).

International	focus points

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United Kingdom	focus points

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United States	focus points

deaths by poisoning

"Deaths by poisoning are obvious cases in which external examinations may result in a mistaken decision about the cause of death" (Hensen, 1987, p. 78).

blood alcohol test

"A blood alcohol test is a routine part of many motor vehicle fatality cases and has also become a standard procedure in the investigation of most other deaths" (Hensen, 1987, p. 81).

Focus Points Reference

Alberta Justice. (1993). What's going on here? Chief Medical Examiner's Office in Alberta: Author.

Almirall, .J. R. & Furton, K. G. (1995). The evolution, practice and future of the use of science in the administration of justice- The importance of standards in forensic science. Standardization News, 23 (4). Retrieved May18, 2002 from: http://www.mdpd.com/astmhtm.html

Henson, T. K. (1987). Medicolegal role in detection and prevention of human abuse. Holistic Nursing Practice, 1(2), 75-83.

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From 'forensic presentations' in the forensic sourcebooks the following presentations have been selected for this unit:

Unit.A.6.1. Forensic Toxicology

Australia	Presentation(s)

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Canada	Presentation(s)

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United Kingdom	Presentation(s)

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United States	Presentation(s)

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This section will continually be added to with guest presentations from forensic experts locally, nationally and internationally and with student presentations.

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From 'forensic cases' in the forensic sourcebooks the following case studies have been selected for this unit:

Australia	case study

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Canada	case study

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United Kingdom	case study

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United States	case study

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From 'forensic experts' in the forensic sourcebooks the following panel of experts has been selected for this unit:

Unit.A.6.1. Forensic Toxicology

	forensic panels of experts

Insert forensic panel here…………

Australia	authors/experts

Insert specific author/expert name(s) here

Canada	authors/experts

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United Kingdom	authors/experts

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United States	authors/experts

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