Toxicological analyzes and its use in forensic science

Abstract

Over the centuries, the history of drug and drug use has undergone significant changes in Forensic Sciences, in which Toxicology is used, mainly in the toxicological analyzes and methods used routinely by civil or criminal experts. Toxicology, as a multifunctional science, covers several other related areas, such as Clinical Toxicology, Social Toxicology, Environmental Toxicology and Occupational Toxicology, Toxicology applied to Doping Control, and essential Forensic Toxicology, as well as others. This article was elaborated with searches in scientific publications, bibliographical reviews, scientific journals and Forensic Science books, as well as other sources of scientific knowledge. There are currently many techniques used in the routine of Forensic Toxicology laboratories, among which the use of the following are most frequently used: Thin Layer Chromatography - CCD, Immunoassay methods, High Performance Liquid Chromatography - HPLC, Gas Chromatography - GC and Liquid or Gas Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrophotometry - HPLC/ MS. Throughout this article, in a general and contextualized way, the relevance and importance of the toxicological analyzes and methods directed to the complex field of knowledge of Toxicology, more intensely about Forensic Toxicology, was presented as a very relevant support for the judicial authorities in the persecution criminal. In conclusion, the applicability of a toxicological routine is usually linked to some type of criminal conduct, and this science has the task of assisting justice, with technical and scientific questions, to resolve such crimes, thus preserving the prestige and trustworthiness of Forensic Toxicology in support of laws and society.