The Challenges Of Hair Follicle Testing
Hair follicle testing has risen in use to over 200,000 drug tests per year in the U.S. This type of drug testing analyzes the hair shaft for drug metabolites, as opposed to analyzing bodily fluids such as urine or saliva which are used in most other types of drug testing….
These Machines Can Put You In Jail: The Truth About Breathalyzer Tests
It’s not uncommon for law enforcement to use breathalyzer tests for estimating the blood alcohol content in a driver’s system. The controversial results of these tests are then used as a case for charging someone with a DUI. What many people don’t realize is that the accuracy of these breathalyzer…
How DNA Contamination Can Alter Court Cases
When a crime occurs, scientists may use DNA evidence to ascertain who are possible suspects and, in some cases, find them guilty in court. Yet relying so heavily on such a sensitive test can have consequences, especially in criminal court cases. How Does DNA Contamination Happen? As forensic technology has…
The Benefits Of Having An Expert Witness On Your Side
Every court case is different, meaning the experts the case requires will vary, whether for the benefit of the prosecution or defense. Hiring an expert witness means that there will be someone with a deep understanding of the subject under litigation to weigh in on the case. Cases often heavily…
I Have A Medical Marijuana Card: What Do I Need To Know?
Legalizing marijuana continues to be a hot topic in the United States, whether speaking about recreational or medicinal use. At the time of printing, it was legal to purchase marijuana for medical use in 33 states – with more states, such as Kentucky, advancing bills for legalizing. If you have…
How Accurate Is Sweat Patch Testing?
Toxicology plays a large role in various legal cases by serving as evidence for or against the presence of drugs and alcohol in the human body. As the science of toxicology constantly progresses and advances, different methods are introduced to the industry. While many of these methods are employed in…
Can Blood Testing Determine The Age Of A Person?
Forensic Science has progressed over the years, with the advancements in blood testing proving to be extremely useful in many cases. Although TV shows today, such as CSI or True Detective, make blood testing and DNA analysis seem unsurpassable, the current forms of blood testing have had their limitations. Up…
Toxicology Report On The Impact Of The Opioid Epidemic
The United States has paid a heavy toll for the nation’s opioid epidemic. Opioid-related deaths have placed a heavy burden on the country and one of the hidden impacts of this crisis is how it affects American pathologists across the United States. The Opioid Epidemic From 2001-2016, opioid-related deaths increased…
Toxicology Co-Counsel Weighs In On Recreational Marijuana Use
While attorneys are well versed in the proper practices of law, it is often necessary for them to seek co-counsel in specific fields. One field that continues to be searched for by attorneys is toxicology co-counsel. This remains true especially as recreational marijuana laws and use continues to grow and…
Expert Witness Weighs In On Drug Injection Sites
A few months ago, a panel consisting of expert witnesses, drug experts and politicians met to discuss the opioid epidemic devastating New England. The panel promoted safe injection sites as a solution. A safe injection site is a place an addict could inject heroin without fear of getting arrested. A…
Forensic Toxicologist Thoughts On New Protocols For Drug Testing
Forensic toxicologists all over the country are tasked with testing evidence collected from all of the crime scenes that law enforcement personnel investigate. This testing includes drug evidence from every crime scene imaginable, from homicides to simple traffic citations for drug possession charges. Defendants, attorneys, prosecutors, and law enforcement rely…
Court Room Struggles Of An Expert Witness
Expert witnesses attend trials to provide specialist information to help a judge and jury make an informed judgement. Obviously, with this comes some difficulties that expert witnesses may face when presenting complex information to a court of law. Before understanding some of these struggles, it’s important to grasp what the…
