What is it?
Postmortem forensic toxicology identifies and measures the concentration of substances of forensic interest in the body of the deceased. The test is performed on tissue and body fluids retained at autopsy and it will assistin death investigations. This very powerful forensic tool can help the coroner and medical examiner detect the presence poisons, illicit drugs, prescription drugs and other toxic substances that may have contributed to the persons death. Methods used include Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Headspace Gas Chromatography (GC) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Time of Flight-Mass Spectrometry (LC/TOF-MS).
Types of tests available
Through a strategic partnership with a leading provider of postmortem toxicology testing services in the USA, Lagos State DNA & Forensic Center offers comprehensive toxicology testing services to support the Police, coroner and Medical Examiner’s in Nigeria.
Tests are performed with state-of-the-art technologies that supports exhaustive medicolegal death investigations. Using this service, the Medical Examiner and Pathologist can be confident in their conclusions.
The following tests can be ordered:
| Basic Coverage | Expanded Coverage | Full Coverage |
| Test for: Commonly abused illicit drugsCommonly abused prescription drugsAlcoholDefined scope | Basic Panel plus: Expanded coverage of prescription and illicit drugs. | Basic and Expanded Panel plus: Most comprehensive scope of the current compounds of interest in toxicology. |
How to Submit a case
LSD&FC will receive and examine forensic evidence retained at autopsy under chain of custody. The items will be packaged and sent to USA for the testing. Results will be returned to LSD&FC for technical and administrative review prior to release to the submitting agency.
Contact LSD&FC to discuss your case, know the price of a test and receive information on how to package the items of evidence.
Email: info@lsdfc.org
Phone: +234 814 741 1921