Toxicology Unit

The Toxicology Unit provides scientific and technical support to the Medical Examiner in determining the cause and manner of death by performing analyses of biological specimens. Specimens are analyzed for the presence or absence of drugs and their metabolites; volatile substances such as ethanol, carbon monoxide and other gases; and poisons or other toxic chemicals that may elucidate the cause and manner of death. The Toxicology Unit also analyzes biological samples for the presence of drugs and toxins that may be important in criminal cases such as DUI, DWI, drug-facilitated sexual assault, and many other types of criminal offenses.