Toxicology can be defined as a science dealing with the adverse effects of chemicals and toxins on living cells. The word toxin is derived from Greek, which means a poison.

In Forensic Toxicology: drugs and poisons in the causation of death. Forensic toxicologists perform scientific tests on bodily fluids and tissue samples to identify any drugs or chemicals present in the body. Working in a lab, the forensic toxicologist performs tests on samples collected by forensic pathologists during an autopsy or by crime scene investigators. A forensic toxicologist must consider the context of an investigation, in particular any physical symptoms recorded, and any evidence collected at a crime scene that may narrow the search, such as pill bottles, powders, trace residue, and any available chemicals.

Determining the substance ingested is often complicated by the body's natural processes, as it is rare for a chemical to remain in its original form once in the body. The substance may also have been diluted by its dispersal through the body.

Samples are usually: Urine, Blood and Hair are the examples of samples.

A poison was considered a coward’s weapon. A poison is defined as a chemical that can sicken or kill another organism. A drug more than the required amount taken is considered as poison, or in other words drug abuse.

Regards

Katherine Gray
Editorial Coordinator
Journal of Forensic Toxicology and Pharmacology
SciTechnol Journals
editor.jftp@scitecjournals.com