Home > Forensics > Case Studies in Toxicology Testing

Think of AIT’s chemists as detectives for the toxicology testing industry

At AIT, our scientists aren’t just concerned with running machines. Oftentimes, they are detectives, searching for clues regarding the identity of a specific drug, and they don’t rest until they find it. Here are some of our most compelling forensic toxicology drug testing stories.

CASE ONE: Forensic Trace Analysis, Time-of-Flight Technology Identify Cattle Drug as Cause of Death 

A Stephenson County, Illinois, coroner was part of the ambulance team that responded to a call made from John Smith*, the owner of a cattle farm in Orangeville, Illinois. Smith requested emergency assistance for Gordon Blakefield*, 25, a member of his staff who had fallen on the job. He called 911 after learning of a text message from Blakefield to his wife, which simply read, “Help.” Read the full story. 

CASE TWO: Presence of Muscle Relaxant Raises Questions in Postmortem Forensic Toxicology Case 

As a toxicology testing lab, AIT is accustomed to finding various materials in forensic samples. But in 2007, the lab was introduced to one drug that seemed particularly out-of-place. Read the full story. 

CASE THREE: Expert Forensic Testimony Proves Key to Homicide Case 

Things were looking up for 82-year-old Erma Prince. She’d just undergone a successful hip pinning at Dunn Memorial Hospital in Bedford, Indiana. After the procedure, she was awake, alert, and enjoying visits from family members. The medical staff was pleased with her progress.

So when Prince died, nobody knew why. Read the full story.

CASE FOUR: Rapid Response to Postmortem Case Results in Gift of Sight for Transplant Patient 

AIT prides itself on quick turnaround times for results. In one forensic case, lab personnel’s rapid response led to an individual receiving the gift of sight. Read the full story.