Forensic Toxicology is an important member of both the scientific community and the law enforcement community. Forensic scientists objectively perform investigative examinations of evidence through laboratory assays to reach conclusions. Next, they communicate these findings along with interpretations to the respective agency and often have to relate the same to courts of law in a manner that is helpful and understandable.
The Toxicology Section of the MCL performs scientific tests that deal with the identification and quantification of ethyl alcohol, drugs and other toxins in biological samples. The process is divided into two parts; the initial screening where true negative samples are identified, and then the confirmatory step where samples found to be positive for specific analytes are confirmed and quantified. The section uses goal standard methodologies and instrumentation to achieve its purpose, as well as to insure the highest quality and defensability of results.
Nine scientists comprise this section of the MCL, with a combined total of over 75 years experience in the field of Forensic Toxicology. The section has set goals for turn-around time of reports, and is in the process of adding to the test menu offered by the section. Our ultimate goal is the prompt reporting of accurate results to all submitting agencies to insure that they can proceed with their cases.