Toxicology in the Criminal Justice System

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Forensic science has been a significant aspect of the criminal justice system for centuries. With the flourishing determination to develop forensic science throughout the years, advancements have led to the development of many significant sciences, including toxicology. Understanding and studying the adverse effects of chemicals on biological systems has proven to be a necessary force in the criminal justice system. By exploring new theories in toxicology, successes and failures throughout the historical progression of this science has led to incredible strides in crime investigation and a promise for a more proficient future in toxicological studies. Forensic Science Since the inception of history, forensic science has been fully perused. The development of understanding of science and how it can apply to legal matters has been a necessary force in society and the interest of the criminal justice field. Since the 1950s, the fascinating marriage of science with criminal justice has led to amazing developments in the handling of the age-old burden of crime. One of the major contributions to the successful progression of forensic science is the commencement of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in 1950. The goal of this organization was to bring multi-disciplinary professionals together for the purpose of seeking the continued advancement of science for the benefit of the legal system (American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 2010). In doing so, this organization propelled a unique focus on forensic science for the future of criminal justice. Another major contribution to the advancement of forensic science was the discovery of the Kidd blood grouping system by F. H. Allen and colleagues in 1951. This blood group ... ... middle of paper ... ...rol Policy (2000). Drug-related crime. Retrieved from http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/factsht/crime/index.html. Ramsland, K. (2004). Forensic toxicology. Criminal Mind, Retrieved from http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/forensics/toxicology/4.html. Rawat, A., Gust, K., Deng, Y., Garcia-Reyero, N., & Quinn, M. (2008). Computational toxicology - a state of the science mini review. Toxicological Sciences, 103(1), Retrieved from http://toxsci.oxfordjournals.org/content/103/1/14.full. Rudin, N., & Inman, K. (2002). Forensic science timeline. Retrieved from http://www.forensicdna.com/Timeline020702.pdf. Saferstein, R. (2009). Criminalistics. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Society of Toxicology (2008). Society of toxicology strategic plan. Retrieved from http://www.toxicology.org/ai/asot/SOTStrategicPlan.pdf.

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