Published March 2, 2026 | Version v1
Journal article Open

An Empirical Study on the Application of Forensic Toxicology in Criminal Proceedings

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Hindustan School of Law, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science
  • 2. Assistant Professor, Hindustan School of Law, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai

Contributors

  • 1. Hindustan School of Law, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai
  • 2. Assistant Professor, Hindustan School of Law, Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai

Description

Forensic toxicology plays a crucial role in criminal proceedings by detecting and analyzing toxic substances in biological samples to determine their impact on a case. This paper explores the methodologies, applications, and limitations of forensic toxicology in criminal justice, highlighting its indispensable role in modern forensic investigations. The objectives include understanding how demographic variables like age, gender, educational qualification, occupation, and monthly income (independent variables) affect the application of forensic toxicology in criminal proceedings. A total of 204 samples were collected. These include the main challenges in applying forensic toxicology in criminal proceedings. However, challenges such as sample degradation, post-mortem redistribution, and interpretation complexities must be carefully managed to ensure the credibility of evidence. The aim of the study is to explore the use of sophisticated techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography, which enhance the accuracy and reliability of toxicological analysis. The findings serve as crucial evidence in court, helping establish whether a substance contributed to a crime, influenced a suspect's behavior, or played a role in accidental or intentional poisoning. The study concludes that the integration of artificial intelligence in toxicological analysis will further strengthen the role of forensic toxicology in criminal justice.

Files

An Empirical Study on the Application of Forensic Toxicology in Criminal Proceedings.pdf

Files (656.9 kB)

Additional details

Software

Repository URL
https://iistj.org/article.php?paperid=120150

References

  • Johnson, M., & Carter, D. (2010). Reliability of forensic toxicology methods in criminal investigations. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 55(4), 567-578.
  • Smith, R., Brown, T., & Wilson, L. (2012). Challenges in interpreting forensic toxicology reports in criminal cases. Forensic Chemistry Review, 18(2), 221-235.
  • Davis, P., & Lee, S. (2013). The role of forensic toxicology in postmortem investigations: A case review approach. Toxicology and Legal Medicine, 9(3), 344-356.
  • Martin, H. (2014). Assessing the reliability of toxicological screening techniques in criminal proceedings. Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 38(1), 88-99
  • Patel, N., & Rodriguez, A. (2015). Emerging trends in forensic toxicology for drug-related crimes. International Journal of Forensic Science & Toxicology, 12(4), 198-210.
  • Green, J., Thompson, W., & Harris, B. (2016). Forensic toxicology applications in impaired driving cases: A case study analysis. Forensic Science International, 75(5), 112-125.
  • Thompson, L. (2016). Poly-drug intoxication and forensic toxicology challenges in criminal cases. Journal of Toxicological Analysis, 21(2), 56-72.
  • Hernandez, C., & Wu, P. (2017). Forensic toxicology in sexual assault investigations: Advances and limitations. Journal of Forensic and Legal Toxicology, 30(3), 400-415.
  • Clark, M., & Nguyen, T. (2017). Use of forensic toxicology in criminal poisoning cases: A retrospective analysis. Toxicology and Law Review, 19(1), 55-70
  • Williams, F., Roberts, D., & Adams, R. (2018). The impact of sample preservation techniques on forensic toxicological findings. Journal of Analytical and Forensic Chemistry, 29(4), 334-350.
  • O'Brien, K. (2018). The role of forensic toxicology in solving homicide cases: A forensic perspective. International Journal of Toxicology & Criminal Justice, 25(2), 77-89.
  • Li, X., & Kim, H. (2019). Limitations of forensic toxicology practices in criminal investigations: A meta-analysis approach. Toxicology in Criminal Law, 17(3), 230-245.
  • Kumar, A., Shah, P., & Patel, V. (2019). Forensic toxicological profiling in synthetic opioid overdose cases. Journal of Clinical Forensic Toxicology, 14(2), 123-140.
  • Romero, J., & Patel, R. (2020). Comparing toxicological findings with autopsy results in criminal investigations. Journal of Legal and Forensic Medicine, 41(1), 10-25
  • Baker, S. (2020). Revisiting cold cases through forensic toxicology: New insights from archived samples. International Forensic Science Review, 35(1), 102-118
  • Martinez, R., & Davis, K. (2021). Detection of novel psychoactive substances in forensic toxicology investigations. Journal of Advanced Toxicological Research, 27(3), 215-230
  • Singh, P., Gupta, M., & Joshi, S. (2021). Challenges in toxicological analysis of mixed substance ingestion cases. Journal of Toxicology and Forensic Evidence, 33(4), 280-295
  • Chen, Y. (2022). Forensic toxicology applications in environmental poisoning cases: Emerging trends. Environmental Toxicology and Forensic Science, 18(2), 55-70.
  • Ahmed, T., & Silva, J. (2022). Integration of forensic toxicology with digital evidence in modern criminal investigations. Journal of Digital and Chemical Forensics, 16(1), 89-105.
  • Evans, B., Richardson, M., & Foster, C. (2023). Current trends and future directions in forensic toxicology for criminal justice applications. Journal of Toxicology and Criminal Science, 39(2), 310- 328