Toxicology
Toxicology is the study of harmful effects of chemicals
or drugs on living systems. Forensic toxicology is that
branch of toxicology that deals with the medico-legal
aspects of toxicology. Forensic toxicologists answer the
question, "Did prescription or illegal drugs and/or alcohol
lead or contribute to the person's death or intoxication?"
Answering this question often requires law enforcement
officers, forensic pathologists, forensic toxicologists,
other forensic scientists, and crime scene investigators
to work together.
Figure 1: The information
triangle - A collaboration of input& information
from three areas: toxicology, pathology and scene
investigations. This can lead to the interpretation
of a cause and manner of death.
