Forensic toxicology is a multidisciplinary field that combines the principles of toxicology with expertise in disciplines such as analytical chemistry, pharmacology, and clinical chemistry. Its primary purpose is to aid in the medical or legal investigation of death, poisoning, and drug use.
Identifying the ingested substance can be challenging due to the body’s natural processes. For instance, a chemical rarely persists in its original form once inside the body. Heroin, for example, rapidly undergoes metabolism, ultimately converting to morphine. Therefore, a thorough examination of factors such as injection marks and chemical purity becomes imperative for an accurate diagnosis. Additionally, the substance might undergo dilution as it disperses throughout the body. Unlike a regulated dose of a drug, which may contain grams or milligrams of the active constituent, an individual sample under investigation may only consist of micrograms or nanograms.
In summary, forensic toxicology plays a crucial role in unravelling mysteries related to substances, their effects, and their impact on individuals, contributing significantly to both medical and legal investigations.
