Forensic toxicology is relevant when the use of drugs, poisons, or other xenobiotics is suspected in a case. Although forensic toxicology is mostly applied in the postmortem investigation of sudden, unexplained deaths, the forensic scientist is expected to assist in the investigation of a variety of criminal and civil matters in which drugs or poisons may be involved. The forensic toxicologist detects identifies, and determines the concentration of poisons in biological specimens and interprets the analytical data on toxicity within the circumstantial limits of particular cases. Forensic toxicologists must be highly trained and skilled analytical chemists and biomedical scientists to meet the demands placed on them. However, too few have the necessary training or resources to upgrade their knowledge. The biggest problem facing the profession is the disparity between the analytical tools available and intellectual ability of the toxicologist to interpret case data. Tables, figures, and a glossary are provided. A bibliography contains 16 references.