Forensic Science Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Forensic Science - Essay Example The evidence which is collected by forensic experts is tested in a forensic toxicology lab, which contains sophisticated instruments. These instruments, along with precise methodologies hold importance in producing a toxicology report, because these reports are presented in court and their results are important in determining the sentence of a person (Hagedorn, 2011). However, toxicology is not limited to criminal investigations only, in fact, they are used in cases which involve environmental contamination, to determine what would be the impact of a spill, if it is near a population. Forensic Toxicologist needs to be prepared to testify in court and justify his findings and to explain methodologies which may seem complex to the jury. Before toxicologists conduct their process, they would need samples from the body under consideration. Toxicology is useful because of how it helps, particularly, the law enforcement authorities. Toxicologists collect samples from the body and then study them in the lab; they give a report about all the chemicals found in the body, alcohol, prescription drugs and illegal drugs. In fact, toxicologists can also find out if the person’s death has resulted because of poison or not. For example, hair samples from a body could be tested to see if the person has been involved in drug abuse for a long time or a short time. Saliva can also be used to test for the use of drugs. The Death Investigation Toxicology is also known as the Postmortem technology, where forensic toxicologists work with examiners and coroners to determine if the cause of a death, there has been involvement of alcohol or drugs. Human performance toxicology is about the effects of alcohol and drugs on the behavior of people. This could include investigations related to impaired driving, sexual assault, which is facilitated by