Toxicology
Andrew D. Ewens, Ph.D., DABT
David Lewis Burrows, Ph.D.
ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 037, Guidelines for Opinions and Testimony in Forensic Toxicology
The American Academy of Forensic Science Standards Board (ASB) has published ANSI/ASB Best Practice Recommendation 037, Guidelines for Opinions and Testimony in Forensic Toxicology, First Edition. This document delineates guidelines for best practices in forensic toxicology opinions and testimony, including human performance toxicology (e.g., driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs), postmortem forensic toxicology, …
Court Ruling Could Erase 20,000 Drunken Driving Convictions (NJ)
Will charging opioid dealers with murder prevent fatal overdoses? NC prosecutors hope so.
OCME Toxicology Lab Procedures available
The IDS Forensic website has posted the toxicology lab procedures from the NC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner here. Attorneys who would like to learn more about the procedures that the OCME toxicology lab uses to test evidence can read through the procedures. For casework, attorneys should obtain the lab procedures that were in …
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS): In Scientific Evidence, Even ‘Gold Standard’ Techniques Have Limitations
by Joanna Gin and Edward Imwinkelreid. UC Davis Legal Studies Research Paper, available for free download. Like nuclear DNA testing, GC/MS analysis has important limitations. Courts should not assume it is a nearly infallible technique. When GC/MS is used in drug testing, the court must inquire as to the mode of analysis: full scan, selective …
The Pot Breathalyzer Is Here. Maybe
KFOX14 Investigates: Blood tests compromised at DPS crime lab, under investigation (TX)
Investigation: DPS analyst falsified El Paso DWI blood tests but not intentionally (TX)
Researchers say a breathalyzer has flaws, casting doubt on countless convictions
Houston in the Blind
Blind studies and procedures are the gold standard of evaluating the quality and reliability of scientific results. Unfortunately, this has long been lacking in forensic science. Fortunately, strides are being made to introduce blind testing to forensics, most notably in the Houston Forensic Science Center (HFSC). Currently, forensic scientists are tested periodically on their knowledge …