Forensic Toxicology Blog

Evidence-based articles about toxicology, expert testimony, legal developments, alcohol, drugs, and forensic testing.

3rd Apr
Positive Drug Test ≠ Proof of Impairment. Toxicological evidence does not support impairment; an unconfirmed screening result detecting a non-psychoactive metabolite is scientifically insufficient to establish intoxication, fault, or recklessness

Urine vs. Blood Drug Results: Why the Numbers Are Not Interchangeable

Why urine and blood drug concentrations answer different questions and cannot ordinarily be converted into each other or treated as automatic proof of impairment.

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8th Feb
Redacted judicial performance record beside courthouse scales

Commission on Judicial Performance Excerpts Concerning Judge Draper

Read excerpts from Commission on Judicial Performance materials concerning Judge Robert S. Draper, with access to the source record and related commentary.

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28th Jan
Judge in black robes reviewing large stacks of documents at a wooden desk

Judge Robert S. Draper Misconduct Allegations: Part Two

This article reviews cited records, source materials and commentary concerning Judge Robert S. Draper Misconduct Allegations: Part Two. It distinguishes allegations and opinions from procedural history or adjudicated findings where the available sources permit.

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28th Jan
Public filing excerpt in the CJP proceeding concerning Judge Robert S. Draper

Judge Robert S. Draper: CJP Charges and 2026 Case Status

This article reviews cited records, source materials and commentary concerning Judge Robert S. Draper: CJP Charges and 2026 Case Status. It distinguishes allegations and opinions from procedural history or adjudicated findings where the available sources permit.

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16th Jan
Good Answer: Thoughtful, Clear, Impactful — illustrated with a glowing light bulb on a blue speech bubble

Counsel’s Effective Answer to a Trial Challenge

[When] asked whether the FBI’s decision to test hair for cocaine demonstrates such tests are generally accepted as being reliable in the scientific community, Okorocha disagreed, stating the FBI uses other procedures, such as polygraph, which are not generally accepted as reliable. Imperial Cty.…

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16th Jan
Bald man wearing sunglasses and a Compton Speedway graphic hoodie, standing outdoors on a sunny day

When Courts Quote Expert-Witness Analysis

Plaintiffs called Okorie Okorocha, a forensic toxicologist and lawyer, to testify to the testing performed on the fluid samples taken from Andrade’s body. He rendered opinions on both the methamphetamine and alcohol testing and what he viewed as flaws in the resulting evidence.

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16th Jan
Ranger Wiens, Attorney at Law

Ranger Wiens and Tanya Ortega: Trial-Performance Commentary

In this case, Kayleigh McCall v. Coast Line Distributing, Inc. and Paul Anthony Ceja In San Luis Obispo County Court, the jury grants punitive damages to the employer due to the truck driver’s illicit drug use; $2.1 million. Plaintiff Kayleigh McCall experienced a moderate traumatic brain injury…

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16th Jan
Professional headshot of a smiling man in a dark suit and light blue tie

Trevor Quirk v. Lewis Brisbois: Trial Commentary

Plaintiff Counsel The amazing Trevor Quirk who can be contacted as detailed below:

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30th Dec
Person in a suit holding a large magnifying glass against a dark background

Investigators at Counsel Table in Criminal Trials

While a witness is under examination, the magistrate shall, upon motion of either party, exclude all potential and actual witness who have not been examined.

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30th Dec
Police officer administering a field sobriety test to a man beside a patrol car with flashing lights

Field Sobriety Test Statistics and Admissibility

Field Sobriety Test statistics and other statistics/averages/ranges for the hypothetical generality of the populace, as distinguished from matters provable as to the individual defendant, infect the record with a fatal error. In People v. Wilson (2019) 33 Cal.App.5th 559 it was held that it was…

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17th Dec
Guests posing for photos at the Douglas Hicks 8th annual party hosted by Carl Douglas and Jamon Hicks

California Ethics Opinion Says No to Law-Firm Parties; Judge Byrdsong Is Pictured Attending Them

California Formal Opinion 2023-024 says judges should not attend complimentary private law-firm celebrations because they create an appearance of special influence. This post presents photographs described as showing Judge Rupert Byrdsong at such events.

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11th Dec
Gavel striking next to a document labeled "Uber Lawsuit" with a balance scale in the background

Uber’s Pennsylvania RICO Lawsuit Against Plaintiffs’ Attorneys

This article reviews cited records, source materials and commentary concerning Uber’s Pennsylvania RICO Lawsuit Against Plaintiffs’ Attorneys. It distinguishes allegations and opinions from procedural history or adjudicated findings where the available sources permit.

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Recent Blog Articles

Judge Robert S. Draper’s Verified Answer in CJP Inquiry No. 212

Primary-source document: Judge Robert S. Draper’s verified answer to the California Commission on Judicial Performance’s Notice of Formal Proceedings in Inquiry No. 212. The answer was filed on February 4, 2026. In it, Judge Draper denies violating the judicial canons cited by the Commission, disputes the Commission’s characterization of several…

Read Article: Judge Robert S. Draper’s Verified Answer in CJP Inquiry No. 212

Age, Balance, and Field-Sobriety Evidence: What Population Research Can Show

Age-related balance research helps frame evidence review, but population averages do not diagnose impairment or establish why one person swayed.

Read Article: Age, Balance, and Field-Sobriety Evidence: What Population Research Can Show

Kratom Cardiac Arrest and the Limits of a Mitragynine Blood Level

A 500 µg/L mitragynine result in a survived cardiac arrest illustrates why concentration, treatment, specimen timing, and alternative causes matter.

Read Article: Kratom Cardiac Arrest and the Limits of a Mitragynine Blood Level