The book under review is an important work on forensic toxicology. As forensic professionals, we all deal with cases from time to time, when we suspect the person was poisoned and want to send viscera for chemical analysis. But which viscera to send for which poison, and how much? That is a question which may sometimes stump us. This book gives us good guidance on this.

This book is also a reliable sources of information to help interpret toxicology results. This is not available in many other books. For instance, if I am looking at, say, the levels of Pregabalin (an anticonvulsant), how do I interpret the toxicology results that come back from the lab? How much level is toxic? How much is lethal? A reference to this book will give us the answer instantly. The book is concise and references the most common toxic substances and their levels of toxicity. This makes it an ideal text for quick confirmation in the field or in the lab. The ring binding of the book helps in easy referencing.

...We all were looking for a concise handbook that provided critical information quickly without the need to wade through extraneous and inconsequential material. This handbook offers an easy-to-use format that allows quick access to the most pertinent information, saving time and increasing accuracy...

We all were looking for a concise handbook that provided critical information quickly without the need to wade through extraneous and inconsequential material. This handbook offers an easy-to-use format that allows quick access to the most pertinent information, saving time and increasing accuracy.

The book begins by explaining the proper selection and submission of specimens for toxicological analysis. It describes the various types of specimens and identifies the cases for which these specimens would be most useful, providing instruction on proper collection. The author then explains the methodology involved in performing the specific tests.

Almost 300 toxic substances are discussed in the book. These are some of the most common toxic drugs found usually in our day-to-day work. The levels of toxicity of each drug is described. The book also describes how to obtain and submit samples, explains methods of analysis, provides hundreds of tables and data sets on substances causing toxicity that are commonly seen in forensic practice, and includes several appendices.

...The main section of the text consists of an alphabetical listing of nearly 300 toxic substances, including drugs of abuse, poisons, prescription drugs, and over-the-counter medications. For each entry, the book provides the common brand names; classification; half life; volume of distribution; usual dosage; tables of toxicity in various samples, including blood, urine, and tissues; and other important information based on the extensive experience of the author...

The main section of the text consists of an alphabetical listing of nearly 300 toxic substances, including drugs of abuse, poisons, prescription drugs, and over-the-counter medications. For each entry, the book provides the common brand names; classification; half life; volume of distribution; usual dosage; tables of toxicity in various samples, including blood, urine, and tissues; and other important information based on the extensive experience of the author. The text is heavily referenced with materials that are useful for preparation of courtroom testimony, and it contains supplemental appendices with information on acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, drugs that prolong the QT interval, pharmacogenetics, normal laboratory values, and conversion charts.

This book is highly recommended to all forensic toxicologists and medical examiners. I for one would have it at my elbow always so I can fall back upon it, whenever I have to interpret any toxicological result that comes back from the laboratory.