Computer Assisted Systems for Forensic Toxicology

We report the development of a computer hardware and software that addresses the special needs of the forensic toxicology laboratory for real-time, data gathering, analysis, and retrieval. In addition to accessioning, work-list preparation, and result reporting, we implemented automatic test ordering based on patient/decedent case characteristics in the accessioning stage to provide reliable and uniform analyte profiles for case solutions. The system also provides extensive real-time event journaling in order to satisfy strict chain of custody requirements consistent with the College of American Pathologists Accreditation, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) certification and the American Society of Crime Lab Directors (ASCLD). The relationships among analyte concentrations in various specimens (e.g. blood, urine, gastric,) have been incorporated into the software as functions of time before and after death before the next step in the case life-cycle. These recommended tests are continually reviewed to educate and verify lab procedure. The system has saved many hours of error-prone manual work. It has streamlined data collection and made a broad spectrum of expertise available to the laboratory at all times. These features have decreased error rates, increased productivity and enhanced the forensic skills of the laboratory. KEY\WORDS toxicology, information systems, computers, laboratories, accessioning, toxicology laboratories, expert systems, epidemiological.