Journal of Forensic Biomechanics

Study on Forensic Toxicology

Jan Teske^* Department of Forensic Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Scotland, UK
^*Correspondence: Jan Teske, Department of Forensic Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Scotland, UK, Email:

Received: 03-Jan-2022, Manuscript No. JFB-22-386; Editor assigned: 04-Jan-2022, Pre QC No. JFB-22-386; Reviewed: 12-Jan-2022, QC No. JFB-22-386; Revised: 17-Jan-2022, Manuscript No. JFB-22-386; Published: 26-Jan-2022, DOI: 10.35248/2090-2697.22.13.386

Description

Forensic toxicology is the analysis of biological samples for the presence of toxins, including drugs. Toxicology reports can provide important information about the types of substances present in humans and whether the amount of these substances is at therapeutic doses or above harmful levels. These results can be used to make inferences when determining the potential impact of a substance on an individual’s death, illness, or mental or physical disability.

Forensic addicts perform scientific tests on body fluids and tissue samples to identify drugs or chemicals present in the body. Forensic addicts work in the laboratory and perform tests on samples collected by forensic pathologists or crime scene investigators during an autopsy. They use sophisticated equipment, chemical reagents, and precise methods to determine the presence or absence of a particular substance in a sample. As part of a team investigating crimes, forensic addicts isolate and identify substances in the body that may have caused crimes, such as: Alcohol, illegal or prescription drugs, other chemicals, poisons, metals, carbon monoxide and other gases. The samples used in toxicology studies are urine, blood, hair, oral fluid, vitreous, stomach contents, and tissues.

Detection

Various analytical techniques are used qualitatively and in some cases quantitatively to determine the presence of a drug or toxin in the human body. Gas-liquid chromatography is one of the most versatile and useful of these methods because it is used to separate multiple compounds in a sample. You can use the retention time of each compound to infer the structure of the compound. The combination of gas-liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provides extensive data for the identification and quantification of specific compounds, even in the presence of very low concentrations. A series of initial screening tests are usually performed to tentatively check for the presence of a particular compound before applying more thorough analytical techniques. These tests are often colorimetric in nature and can positively or negatively indicate the need for other tests. In addition, the choice of analytical technique to use is often influenced by other information collected in connection with the case. For example, traces of the human body imply the use of intravenous drugs.

Application

This area of forensic medicine has evolved into the study of illegal and legal drugs such as alcohol. It has already been explained above that forensic toxicology can identify toxic and dangerous chemicals that can be used to interpret the consequences or actual situations. The chemical composition of each substance is studied and identified from various sources such as urine and hair. Forensic toxicology deals with the way a substance is absorbed, distributed, or excreted in the body, or metabolism. In learning about drugs and how they work in the body, forensic toxicology studies where the drugs affect the body and how this happens. Forensic toxicology testing has many uses, but drug and alcohol testing may be best known to most people. This type of test is commonly performed in the transportation industry and at work. Another use is drug overdose, either intentionally or accidentally. People driving with blood alcohol levels above acceptable statutory limits can also be reached through toxicological tests. Another application of forensic toxicology is related to sexual assault, including drugs. Today, various drugs incapacitate victims and make them unable to fight attackers, who sexually abuse victims. Through toxicology tests, victims can be informed of which medications have been administered and can be treated accordingly.

Conclusion

There are many substances and toxins in our world, many of which affect how we work and in society. Forensic toxicology is also used in autopsy cases where toxicology needs to determine if drug overdose has occurred and, if so, whether it contributed to death. Forensic toxicology tests allow forensic scientists to identify substances and determine usage patterns. Cases of suicide, murder, and accidental poisoning are common in India and other countries. The availability of various active ingredients such as pesticides, insecticides, medicines and chemicals increases the potential for their abuse. Preferred addicts include aconite, strychnine, milkweeds, oleander, copper, mercury and arsenic. Therefore, the Institute of Forensic Toxicology examines body fluids and tissues for the presence of these substances. Toxologists perform analysis, report findings, and provide court testimony to interpret test results.