Forensic Toxicology

Dr. Nicholas T. Lappas, an Associate Professor Emeritus in the Department of Forensic Sciences at the George Washington University, has extensive experience and demonstrated expertise in both the teaching and practice of forensic toxicology. In 1975, Dr. Lappas, was one of the first two full time faculty members appointed to the faculty of the Department of Forensic Sciences at the George Washington University. Prior to this appointment, he was a forensic toxicologist in the Allegheny Coroner’s Office in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. At GWU, he developed the MFS program in forensic toxicology, through which he has mentored hundreds of students and taught several graduate courses, including Forensic Toxicology, Analytical Toxicology, Medicinal Chemistry and Forensic Serology. Dr. Lappas’ research interests have been focused on the development of analytical toxicology methods and the evaluation of factors that influence the interpretation of analytical toxicology results. His professional activities include serving as a forensic toxicology consultant in more than 500 criminal and civil cases and as an expert witness in more than 100 cases. Dr. Courtney Lappas, Professor of Biology and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Lebanon Valley College is a Molecular Pharmacologist who has extensive experience teaching and conducting biomedical research. Previously a Fellow at the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Lappas’ research interests focus on the utilization of novel pharmacological tools in the treatment and/or prevention of immunological pathologies. Dr. Lappas incorporates her experience in translational research into her teaching and mentoring in courses including Pharmacology, Immunology, Molecular Biology and Drugs and Society.

Chapter 1: The Development of Forensic Toxicology Chapter 2: The Duties and Responsibilities of Forensic Toxicologists Chapter 3: Forensic Toxicology ResourcesChapter 4: The Laboratory Chapter 5: Analytical Strategy Chapter 6: Sample Handling Chapter 7: Storage Stability of AnalytesChapter 8: Analytical SamplesChapter 9: Sample PreparationChapter 10: Methods of Detection, Identification and Quantitation Chapter 11: Quality Assurance and Quality ControlChapter 12: Types of Interpretations Chapter 13: Reports Chapter 14: Testifying

APPENDICESAppendix A: Principles of Pharmacokinetics Appendix B: Principles of PharmacodynamicsAppendix C: Immunoassays Appendix D: Toxicogenomics Appendix E: Famous Cases in Forensic Toxicology