Capital Litigation Initiative: Crime Scene to Courtroom Forensics Training
Webinar #4 Toxicology Essentials: Emphasis Opioids
May 31, 2017
12:00 -2:00 p.m. EST
The “Toxicology Essentials” webinar includes a review of the basic toxicology and pharmacology of opioids followed by an overview of the opioid epidemic. The increase in use of controlled prescription drugs by patients and recreational users will be discussed using case studies and epidemiologic data. Using published data and case studies, problems of addiction and illicit opioid use will be discussed. A review of the reasons why patients switch from Controlled Prescription Drugs (CPDs) to Heroin will be presented, using case studies, statistics and demographic data regarding the therapeutic use of opioids and prevalence of abuse.
The impact of the opioid epidemic on death investigations also will be described and will include a discussion on the increase in heroin use, the emergence of illicit synthetic drugs into the community, and the complexity of polypharmacy (multiple drug administrations) cases. An overview of forensic toxicology testing, including the analytical testing procedures utilized and potential limitations to interpreting toxicology reports will be outlined.
This webinar is designed for capital litigators. It
will discuss the legal implications of the opioid epidemic, offering tips and
take-away points for defense attorneys and prosecutors. The webinar will end
with challenges faced by capital litigators, this is an interactive webinar participants will be able to ask questions through out the program.
Webinar panelists include:
- Professor Carol Henderson is the founding director of the
award winning National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law
(NCSTL) and a Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law.
- Dr. David Benjamin is a clinical pharmacologist and
forensic toxicologist, and an affiliate associate professor,
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University School of
Pharmacy. He holds a B.A. in Biological Sciences from Boston University and a
M.S. & Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Vermont College of
Medicine.
- Dr. Diane Boland is the Director
of the Toxicology Laboratory in Miami Dade County Medical Examiner's Department. She received her Masters of Science in Forensic Toxicology from the University of Florida and her
Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Arizona.
This webinar is designed for both prosecutors and defense attorneys.
This project was supported by Grant No. 2015-CP-BX-K006 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the SMART Office. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
CLE Credit
These webinars are designed for both prosecutors and defense attorneys. Attendees who complete the course will be eligible for free CLE credits (2.0). The Office of Professional Education will work with each individual participant for reporting specifics. CLE applications will be made to Florida and other states per individual requests. Please email [email protected] for further information and state specific requests.