If you’re considering working in the criminal justice system and you have a strong passion for science, you might be a good match for a career in toxicology in forensic science.

Forensic science toxicology professionals work to identify toxins and other substances in biological samples—including collections from crime scenes.¹ Forensic toxicologists are key to the forensic science field, and they contribute their scientific minds to worthy causes in the justice system and beyond.

But what else should you know about forensic science toxicology before you start your training? What is toxicology in forensic science, and what does the day-to-day of a forensic toxicologist look like?

In this guide, we’ll answer all of these forensic science questions and more.

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The Basics of Toxicology 

To answer the basics, we need to define both key terms:

• Toxicology is the study of how substances interact with the body—both toxins (like alcohol and illicit substances) and benign compounds (like prescription medications).²
• Forensic science is any scientific discipline or practice used in relation to the law, the criminal justice system, or government work. Although criminal justice work is perhaps the most well-known field of work for forensic scientists.³

Forensic science toxicologists use their knowledge of the scientific method, chemistry, biology, and technology to contribute to forensic science efforts—most commonly in the criminal justice system.

Note: Toxicology is far from a new discipline. Paracelsus (a 16th Century doctor) is thought to be the “Father of Toxicology,” but people have been exploring how toxins interact with the body since the 400s BCE.⁴

Toxicology Testing Methods 

There are three main approaches toxicologists use to get to the bottom of complex cases:⁵

1. Postmortem forensic toxicology – By performing postmortem forensic toxicology testing, scientists examine autopsy specimens and run tests on biological samples collected from these specimens. Toxicologists may identify a specific toxic substance or substances that could have impacted the subject’s death.⁶
2. Human performance toxicology – Human performance toxicology practices seek to determine how certain substances impact human thoughts and behaviors. To accomplish this, toxicologists perform tests on live subjects and observe their behavior.⁷
3. Forensic drug testing – Also called “drug analysis,” forensic drug testing methods seek to understand individual substances: what they’re made of, their adverse effects, and how they might impact the human body.⁸

To prepare and collect samples for analysis, forensic science toxicologists do their best to avoid contamination of crime scene evidence, label any collections, store them in sterile containers (according to storage and documentation standards), and document their collections.

Each of the methods described above uses various scientific equipment: analysis machinery, observational tools (like microscopes and spectrometers), documentation and data compilation software, and more.

Applications of Toxicology in Forensic Science

Toxicology may be used in criminal investigations and other justice system matters (civil cases and copyright and patenting law to name just two). This intersection of science and law often includes elements of forensic pharmacology. Let's examine one case to see toxicology in action: the late 1990s investigation against Orville Lyn Majors.⁹

• Majors was a nurse working at a county hospital in Indiana. Other hospital workers and patients’ relatives suspected that Majors played a role in numerous patient deaths—but they weren’t sure how.
• After suspending his nursing license, investigators decided to study just six of his deceased patients who had died in ways that weren’t consistent with their medical histories.
• Investigators exhumed the bodies of the deceased, and forensic toxicologists analyzed samples to determine that Majors had been injecting patients with heart-stopping drugs.

In this case, forensic toxicology was used to confirm a suspicion that Majors had been poisoning patients. However, toxicologists must start from “square one” in many cases—they aren’t sure of the cause of death or if toxins played a role, so they have to employ a wider range of testing methods and document their findings extensively.

The Role of a Forensic Toxicologist

In terms of everyday responsibilities, forensic science toxicologists:

• Collect, store, and prepare samples per a standard operating procedure (SOP)
• Use scientific equipment in their toxicology laboratory to assess samples
• Leverage their scientific expertise to draw conclusions about test results
• Document and report their findings

So, to prepare for this career, a prospective forensic scientist focusing on toxicology may:

• Complete an undergraduate degree in a hard science like chemistry, biology, or clinical laboratory sciences
• Complete an advanced degree program, like a master’s in forensic science
• Secure internships, shadowing opportunities, or jobs in scientific, investigatory, or laboratory settings

In some states, toxicologists may need to pursue a license. However, every toxicologist must demonstrate a dedication to accuracy, precision, and scientific ethics to succeed in the field. For those interested in this field, understanding how to become a forensic scientist is critical.

The Future of Toxicology in Forensic Science 

In short, forensic science toxicology is the practice of studying samples and various compounds (including toxins) to contribute to justice system pursuits. While this discipline has a long history, technological innovations are continuing to shape the way we do science in the modern world.

If you’re interested in a career in toxicology, a working knowledge of these changing technologies is a must. At Alliant International University, our MS in Forensic Science, Investigation, & Technology program is designed to equip students with the technological, theoretical, and practical skills they need to contribute to the justice system and find fulfillment in their chosen discipline.

Ready to develop the skills you need to become a forensic science toxicologist? Apply now.

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Sources: 

1. “Forensic Toxicology.” National Institute of Justice. http://nij.ojp.gov/topics/forensics/forensic-toxicology. Accessed July 22, 2024. 
2. "Careers in Toxicology.” American Academy of Forensic Sciences. 2024. http://www.aafs.org/careers-toxicology. Accessed July 22, 2024. 
3. “What is Forensic Science?” American Academy of Forensic Sciences. 2024. http://www.aafs.org/careers-forensic-science/what-forensic-science. Accessed July 22, 2024. 
4. “History of Toxicology.” Toxicology Education Foundation. August 3, 2016. http://toxedfoundation.org/history-of-toxicology/. Accessed July 22, 2024. 
5. “Careers in Toxicology.” American Academy of Forensic Sciences. 2024. http://www.aafs.org/careers-toxicology. Accessed July 22, 2024. 
6. “Postmortem Toxicology.” NMS Labs. 2024. http://www.nmslabs.com/solutions/postmortem-toxicology. Accessed July 22, 2024. 
7. “How is Human Performance Toxicology Different from Other Forms of Forensic Toxicology?” LeBeu Forensic Toxicology. 2024. http://lebeau-toxicology.com/practice/human-performance-toxicology/. Accessed July 22, 2024. 
8. “Drug Analysis.” Forensic Resources. 2024. http://forensicresources.org/forensic-disciplines/drug-analysis/. Accessed July 22, 2024. 
9. Rafford, Claire. “The Story of Indiana’s Angel of Death, Orville Lynn Majors.” Indianapolis Star. September 28, 2022. http://www.indystar.com/story/news/history/retroindy/2022/09/28/orvill…. Accessed July 22, 2024.