A scientist examines a specimen at the Seattle Toxicology Lab.
Overview
The Toxicology Laboratory Division (TLD) staff includes forensic scientists, property and evidence custodians, and professional office staff who provide the only accredited evidential toxicology services in the state. Law enforcement, medical examiners, coroners, and prosecuting attorneys rely upon the technical expertise of the TLD staff to fully investigate suspicious deaths, natural and accidental deaths, homicides, suicides, traffic fatalities, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs cases, suspected drug-facilitated assaults and any other forensic cases where alcohol and/or drugs may be involved.
Key Measurements and Statistics
Successes of 2019
In 2019, the TLD received a total of 15,283 cases.
The caseload did not change significantly from 2018, primarily due to a decrease in death investigation case submissions.
TLD scientific staff provided expert witness testimony in over 150 cases statewide.
TLD responded in a timely and accurate fashion to 771 complex public disclosure requests.
The TLD successfully maintained accreditation from the:
• American Board of Forensic Toxicologists (ABFT) in the area of alcohol and drug testing in biological fluids
• ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) in the area of alcohol and drug Testing (ISO 17025)
The validation and implementation of a new Time-of-Flight LC/MS instrumentation method has allowed the TLD to expand the range of substances that can be screened for in casework including numerous novel, illicit synthetic drugs.