Toxicological analyses are used in a criminal investigation to examine the possibility of drug use playing a part in the case.
Forensic Toxicology
Drugs and poisons available in New Zealand can be identified at acute and clinical levels. Legal and illicit drugs which alter behaviour, cause sleep or cause death when taken in excess, can be identified in blood and urine samples, as well as in other body tissues. Quantitation of drugs and poisons is used to guide interpretation of findings. Poisons are analysed at ESR in specimens ranging from blood, urine and other human body tissues to powders, syringes, cat's meat and cake.
Analysis of Intoxicants
From police work like the analysis of blood alcohol for traffic and criminal investigations, and the servicing of breath alcohol devices, through to urine analysis, this laboratory provides a wide range of services. Other work includes identifying substances which may cause similar symptoms to alcohol, and interpreting blood levels in relation to the time and amount of intoxicant consumed.