Toxicology
The Toxicology Section provides analyses of biological specimens — primarily blood and urine — for the presence or absence of alcohol and other drugs, and interprets those findings for court proceedings.
The scientists use a variety of analytical instruments and techniques, including gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, fluorescence polarization immunoassay and solid phase extraction.
Much of the section’s caseload supports highway safety enforcement, involving charges such as vehicular homicide/manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, vehicular assault, DWI, and DWAI-Drugs.
The section also provides analyses in death investigations and sexual assaults.
During 2008, the section upgraded its drug screening procedures to utilize enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technology, improving the scope and sensitivity of the screening process.
The section’s scientists serve as a resource for the criminal justice community on toxicology matters involving impairment, cause of death, and drug facilitated sexual assault.
In 2008, they provided training in conjunction with the New York Prosecutors Training Institute (NYPTI), the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC), and the annual NYSP Sexual Offense Seminar.
The section also hosted a two-day “Vehicle & Traffic Law for Toxicologists” workshop for toxicologists from throughout the state.
The Toxicology sections of the NYSP Crime Laboratory System analyzed 3,264 cases in 2008. These were categorized as:
- Highway safety enforcement (2,967),
- Death investigation (81),
- Drug facilitated sexual assault (93), and
- Other toxicology investigations (26).
The section also performed testing on 100 samples to support the training of new Drug Recognition Experts (DRE).
* Information provided by 2008 Annual Report
For current listing of services provided, refer to the Forensic Science Submitting Agency Information page on this website.