Forensic Toxicology: Career Choices and Development Karen ScoU Ph.D, MRSC, Michele (Shelly) Merves Ph.D., DABFT Barry Logan Ph.D, DABFT C. Chem., C. Sci. Assistant Laboratory Director- 2013-14 President, AAFS Associate Professor, Toxicology NMS Labs & Forensic Science Pinellas County Forensic Lab Center for Forensic Science Research Arcadia University Largo, FL and Educaon Glenside, PA Willow Grove, PA Forensic Toxicology Answers the QuesNon: Did Alcohol or Drugs, Cause or Contribute to, this Person’s Death or Intoxicaon? BL PracNce Areas • Human performance – Driving – Post Crash – Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault • Death InvesNgaon • Regulated • High throughput vs less casework/complex (interpretaon) BL Forensic Toxicology Analy&cal Interpreve SM AnalyNcal Toxicology • Understanding the chemistry of the analyte. • Knowing the capabiliNes of various analyNcal plaorms (i.e. how instruments work). • Understanding Quality Management requirements. • Understanding data evaluaon and assessment. • Applying insight into working with problemac specimens. • Understanding method development and opNmizaon. • Performing method validaon. SM InterpreNve Toxicology • Understanding the source of the sample and its limitaons. • Understanding how the result was obtained and its limitaons. • Thorough familiarity with the published literature on drug concentraons. • Knowing the therapeuNc, toxic and potenNally fatal outcomes associated with different toxins. • Relang laboratory findings to invesNgave, autopsy, and cogniNve and behavioral findings. SM Key Competencies • Chemistry – Organic, Physical, AnalyNcal • Anatomy and Physiology • Pharmacology – Pharmacodynamics, PharmacokineNcs, Metabolomics • Psychology – Psychomotor Performance, CogniNon and Behavior • Communicaons – WriUen, Spoken, CriNcal reading BL • Research Is this the right career for you? • Character Traits: – Love Science – Really Love Chemistry – Broad interest in mulNple disciplines – Excited about communicaon – Strong stomach – AUenNon to detail – Open mindedness and fairness BL Where do Forensic Toxicologists Work? • Government Laboratories: – Public Health, Police/Public Safety, AUorney General, Prosecutor, Medical Examiner/Coroner, Military • Academic Laboratories: – Laboratory medicine, Pathology, Toxicology • Private Laboratories: – Forensic and clinical laboratories, military contractors SM A Typical Days Work… • Receive, inspect, process and accession specimens for tesNng. • Review case histories or requests for tesNng. • Assemble batches of samples from alcohol tesNng and drug screening. • Review screening results, and order confirmatory tesNng. SM A Typical Days Work… • Perform instrument maintenance and set-up. • Batch and extract samples for confirmatory tesNng. • Analyze and review data from chromatographic tesNng. • Batch and extract samples for quanNtave tesNng. • Review all data in the context of the case and generate a report. SM A Typical Days Work… • Develop or validate new methods. • Review QC data. • Research interpreNve data to prepare a report. • Discuss case and opinion tesNmony with aorneys and invesNgators. • TesNfy in Court or at DeposiNon. • AUend training. • Obtain/maintain CerNficaon(s) SM Becoming a Toxicologist • Three stages: – High school – Undergraduate degree – Graduate degree(s) • Important to keep opNons open KS Becoming a Toxicologist • High School: – Chemistry, Biology, Physics – English – Math & StasNcs – Experience in public speaking/presenNng – Highest level of Chemistry, Biology, Math will facilitate undergraduate learning KS Becoming a Toxicologist • Undergraduate: – Course choices could include: • Organic Chemistry, AnalyNcal Chemistry, Biochemistry, Toxicology, Biology, Pharmacology, WriNng, BiostasNcs, Research – Degree opons include: • Chemistry, Biology, Forensic Science, Biochemistry • Must be in a Natural Science • Accelerated programs available KS Becoming a Toxicologist • Graduate: – MS and PhD programs available – MS need not be track selected but should include • Instrumental Analysis, preferably analysis of biological samples and Pharmacology • Forensic Chemistry or Forensic Science • Allows entry to labs at a higher level than with just degree – No bespoke PhD programs in US at present • Senior level entry posiNons KS Forensic Science v TradiNonal Science Degrees • Both are acceptable • FS UG or MS degree includes addiNonal benefits of courses in law, ethics, quality management • Same core subjects (chemistry/biology) should be covered but with FS applicaon KS FEPAC • Forensic Science Educaon Programs Accreditaon Commission • Maintains and enhances the quality of forensic science educaon through a formal evaluaon and recogniNon of college-level academic programs. • BS and MS programs are accredited KS Your First Job • Geng Hired – Understand the material, don’t just memorize it. – Be AcNve in Undergrad and Grad School. – Research and Internships. – Join, volunteer, read, tutor. – Have a broad knowledge of the State of Forensic Science. – Be flexible. BL Your Ideal Job • Service Work? • Research? • Management? • Technical Supervision? • Teaching? BL Building Your Resume • Consider Graduate School. • ParNcipate in Professional Organizaons. • ParNcipate in Young Forensic ScienNst Groups. • Network, collaborate, visit other labs. • Seek out training. • Seek CerNficaon. • Find a mentor. SM Professional Organizaons • Join AAFS, SOFT, SWAT, CAT, TIAFT, etc. • AUend their meeNngs. • Volunteer to help with meeNngs. • Volunteer and parNcipate in commiUees. • Present at professional meeNngs: – Plaorm/Poster • Write for newsleUers. SM CerNficaon • Requirements for Diplomate status: D-ABFT – Earned Doctorate – Adequate undergraduate and graduate educaon in biology, chemistry, and pharmacology or toxicology . – 3 years post doctoral experience in toxicology or closely related disciplines, including pracNce, research, teaching, administraon. BL CerNficaon • Requirements for Diplomate status: – Applicants are required to document a record of appropriate professional acNviNes in forensic toxicology. – Applicants must be engaged in the pracNce of forensic toxicology at the Nme of applicaon for CerNficaon. – Comprehensive wriUen examinaons based upon broad principles of toxicology – Submit evidence of conNnuing professional BL educaon every year. CerNficaon • Requirements for Specialist status: FTS-ABFT – Earned Bachelors degree – Adequate undergraduate and graduate educaon in biology, chemistry, and pharmacology or toxicology . – 3 years post graduaon experience in toxicology or closely related disciplines, including pracNce, research, teaching, administraon. BL CerNficaon • Requirements for Specialist status: – Applicants are required to document a record of appropriate professional acNviNes in forensic toxicology. – Applicants must be engaged in the pracNce of forensic toxicology at the Nme of applicaon for CerNficaon. – Comprehensive wriUen examinaons based upon broad principles of toxicology – Submit evidence of conNnuing professional BL educaon every year. Salary Expectaons I • Entering the field with a BS or MS degree in chemistry or related subject, non-cerNfied: • $35,000 – 55,000 • Typical duNes range from rouNne segmented work to case officer role. • With experience, incremental grades add about $15% to salary. • CerNficaon may enhance salary. • Public/Private are about equivalent. SM Salary Expectaons II • Supervisory/Technical management role: – $65,000 – 85,000 • Laboratory Management role: – $80,000 - $120,000 • Academia: – Asst Professor $60,000 - $85,000 – Associate professor $70,000 - $110,000 SM Resources • www.AAFS.org – hUp://www.aafs.org/resources/employment- opportuniNes-short – hUp://www.aafs.org/fepac hUp://fsf.aafs.org/ career_paths/what-forensic-science – hUp://www.aafs.org/students/student-career/ choosing-career – hUp://yfsf.aafs.org/ BL Resources • www.abt.org • www.SOFT-TOX.org • www.COFSE.org BL .