It would not be wrong to say that chemicals have some positive and negative effects on our body parts. It takes a professional to identify these effects. Such a person is responsible for examining samples of body organs, tissues, and fluids, and he detects the presence of chemicals and other similar substances in the body.

What Do Forensic Toxicologists Do?

On a daily basis, forensic toxicologists are responsible for conducting lab tests on human samples, setting and operating advanced biomedical instrumentation, finding out the presence of some chemicals, documenting their experiments and procedures, giving expert witness testimony in courts of law, and supervising forensic laboratory technicians as well as lab assistants.

Work Environment

Usually, a forensic scientist works from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. He is free to spend the weekend wherever he wants. He performs a variety of experiments, and while at work, he wears gloves, surgical masks, and other pieces of protective gear because handling human tissues can be risky. On average, the salary for this position is $31,000 per year, but that depends on your expertise, experience, and education.

Entry Requirements

To become a forensic toxicologist or scientist, you should have a bachelor’s degree in forensic and toxicological chemistry. The program covers modules in molecular genetics, forensic microscopy, analytical chemistry, and forensic chemistry, and it is offered at various universities in the world. You can also study Pharmacology, Clinical chemistry, and Biochemistry, and should conduct experiments in the laboratories. You should also be aware of the medical terminologies and lab technologies.

Some qualities you should have are:

·        An appetite for little details

·        Strong practical and technical skills

·        The ability to work calmly under pressure

·        Fine motor skills

·        The ability to accurately follow instruction

·        Emotional resilience- forensic toxicologists are often exposed to details of crimes

·        Strong laboratory skills

·        Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

·        An awareness of laboratory health and safety regulations

·        Strong computer skills

·        Good speaking

·        Report writing skills

So, are you ready for a career in forensic sciences?