Online Resources for the Forensic Chemist and Toxicologist

Some commercial sites are also useful, but should be taken with the appropriate grain (i.e., 64.8 mg) of salt. 

Review articles allow even the busiest forensic chemist the opportunity to find summaries of current research. The journal Analytical Chemistry publishes a semiarmual review of forensic science that emphasizes forensic analytical chem-istry. This publication contains extensive and current research in drug analysis, as well as in many other aspects of forensic chemistry. For drug analysis, the DEA has published a recent extensive review of articles covering 1992-2002. As part of the Microgram Journal, this review is available online. 

Drug evidence, like all evidence in forensic science, has characteristics that can be used to describe eind categorize it. The first division used by forensic scientists reflects the type of drug analysis needed. For physical evidence submitted to a crime laboratory (pUls, powders, plant matter, paraphernalia, precursors, or related evidence), the central forensic question is What controlled substimce is present Secondary questions relate to how much and to what else might be there, such as adulterants, diluents, and contaminants. Exhaustive analysis may be used to further categorize drug samples into 

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