29 April 2021 – Webinar: ‘The dose makes the poison’ – the role of forensic toxicology in investigating drug-related impairment and death
Date: Thursday, 29 April 2021, 13:00 to 15:00
Presenter: Bronwen Davies,
Deputy Director: Forensic Toxicologist: Forensic Toxicology Unit, Forensic Pathology Service (FPS), Western Cape Government Department of Health (WCGH)
Forensic toxicologists are often involved in investigating the role of alcohol, drugs, and other toxicants in medico-legal cases. In this seminar, Bronwen Davies will discuss core concepts of forensic toxicology, including how biological specimens are analysed to provide key information that may be used to interpret an individual’s impairment or to determine whether substances may have caused their death. Bronwen will describe common and alternative specimens encountered, instruments used in the field, and key considerations in interpreting toxicological results, using case examples. Trends in global and local recreational drug use (such as novel psychoactive substances), quality and other standards to which forensic toxicologists must adhere, and unique local challenges and opportunities in the field, will further be discussed. This lecture is open to all who are interested in learning more about the fascinating and important field of forensic toxicology!