Principles of Forensic Toxicology

Forensic toxicology is defined as the application of toxicology for the purposes of the law. Until the middle of the twentieth century, forensic toxicology was practiced almost exclusively as a result of investigating a fatality. Therefore, analyses were performed on specimens from deceased individuals. Today, forensic pathologists rely heavily upon forensic toxicology testing to determine how alcohol, drugs, or poisons may have caused or contributed to death.