The Role of the Toxicologist Toxicology Sanders Challenges

The Role of the Toxicologist Toxicology Sanders

Challenges Facing the Toxicologist • Toxicologists must determine toxins in body parts without any idea as to what type to look for. • Any given substance has to be given an individual test. Toxicology

Determination • Forensic toxicologists must develop analytical tests to determine toxins. • Detect • Isolate • Identify Toxicology

Testing Materials • Tests must be run on biological material. • Biological fluids • Tissues • Organs Toxicology

Screening Tests • A screening test gives quick insight into the probability that a sample contains a pharmaceutical substance • Legal • Illegal Toxicology

Results • Positive results arising from a screening test are provisional then must be verified with a confirmation. Toxicology

Positive Results • The widely used screening tests are • Thin-layer chromatography • Technique used to separate non-volatile mixtures. • Gas chromatography • A test of analytical chemistry for separating and analyzing compounds that can be vaporized without decomposition. • Immunoassay • A test for an antigen that can detect drugs in blood or urine. Toxicology

Confirmation Test • Accepted tests for confirmation test of choice • Gas chromatography • Mass spectrometer Toxicology

Confirmation • Once a drug is extracted and identified, a toxicologist may be required to judge the drug’s effect on an individual's natural performance or physical state. Toxicology