Forensic Toxicologist Job Outlook

Using analytical and clinical chemistry and pharmacology to aid legal investigation is the job of a forensic toxicologist.

Forensic toxicology is a branch of science used to serve the law by providing scientific techniques to solve crimes. It is used in the investigation of death, poisoning, and drug used in crimes.

As per the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, forensic science jobs, including Forensic Toxicologist, are conjecture to grow 11 percent Much faster than average, a lot quicker than the U.S. standard for all fields.

Forensic toxicology is used to investigate possible causes of death by using chemicals on the human body. For example, poisoning or excessive use of alcohol during driving.

Does forensic toxicology investigate what might have been the scenario before death? How much drug was used on the body, or was the amount enough to kill the person? Did The person committed suicide, or was it forced death? A careful investigation by forensic toxicologists reveals the hidden secrets of crime.

Forensic Toxicologist Job Outlook

Detection of poison or chemicals in the human body is the job of a forensic toxicologist. A forensic toxicologist will measure the amount of drug or poison taken. Furthermore, he will conclude on the basis of his finding, whether the death was planned or if it was by the chance incident?

The use of technology along with science plays an essential role in the job of forensic toxicology.

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics

Duties Of Forensic Toxicologist

A forensic toxicologist will study the blood and tissue samples and try to determine the type of chemical used on the body. A forensics toxicologist will carefully analyze the samples as various types of poisons and drugs can harm the human body. Furthermore, any finding can lead to a severe investigation upgrade.

They will perform the test using technology and tools. Their work needs careful analysis and demands high precision.

During an autopsy, they will use different techniques and methodologies to read samples.

A forensic toxicologist will check for the possible chemicals used in a crime.

This includes investigation of

• Poisoning
• Alcohol
• Drugs
• Harmful gases
• Metals
• Chemicals

in the human body.

Forensic toxicologists must pay great attention while performing tests as the results can be beneficial in an investigation.

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A forensic toxicologist will also document all the processes. Each activity should be mentioned and reported in documents. It will not only aid the criminal investigation but will also save the evidence in a documented form.

A forensic toxicologist can also be summoned in court to testify about findings. He may also educate the jury about his findings and will be held responsible for his words. He should make so careful scientific opinion.

Many institutions rely on the findings of forensic toxicologists.

A forensic toxicologist may also deal with the cases of use and impact of chemicals on the overall environment.

Where Do Forensic Toxicologists Work?

A forensic toxicologist works in laboratories run by law enforcement institutions. They can also work in private labs and under medical examiners.

Their duty can be hectic. Different tests require long hours of work, so a dedicated individual who can work for a considerable amount of time without getting exhausted or bored can be an excellent forensic toxicologist.

The job can be a physical as well as emotional challenge for a person. A forensic toxicologist will be opened to the investigation, so sometimes handling emotional trauma about a crime is difficult for a person. Moreover, different samples can be tough to handle due to solid odor or wear and tear body parts. Different scientific protocols must be followed properly to make sure about the error-free investigation.

Qualification Requirements

A forensics toxicologist usually has a bachelor’s degree in clinical chemistry, pharmacology, or other science fields. Nevertheless, a master’s degree will earn better job status. This field depends on scientific learning, and we know that science is growing day by day. The use of technology along with scientific research is a must nowadays.

With emerging technologies, a forensic toxicology job requires a person who enjoys the mix of science and technology and can keep up his learning with modern studies.

Different certifications will not only upgrade job status but will also provide up-to-date learning.

Students must earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree accredited from FEPAC (forensic science education program accreditation commission).

American board of forensic toxicology, American board of clinical chemistry, and American Board of toxicology provide certification to experienced personals in the field.

A person who loves to learn and knows how to remain up to date is welcome in the field.

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Average Salary

According to experience, education, and job location, the average salary of a forensic toxicologist is $34k -64k.

The lowest 10 percent earned less than $34,600, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $97,200.

In May 2018, the median annual wages for forensic science technicians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics

Expected Growth

Forensic toxicology is opening new doors to the investigation. Now we can rely on facts and findings because of modern-day technology. Solving crime is becoming more manageable and rational with the help of forensic toxicology. No one can say no to scientific and technological revolutions.

As the population is growing, crime rates are increasing too. Furthermore, the demand to solve crimes through careful investigation techniques and scientific facts builds a workspace for the forensic toxicologist. The job demand is expected to grow in the near future.

Abilities Needed To Work As Forensic Toxicologists 

The flexibility of Closure — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Far Vision — The ability to see details at a distance.

Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a particular order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).