A Forensic Casebook: True Life Cases Involving Drugs and Poisons

Drugs and poisons from a variety of sources have been used illegally for centuries and most conjure up an unfortunate, enduring fascination. People appear to be both attracted by them and at the same time repelled by them, due to the fact that they are both deadly and, at the same time, can be very discreet. In forensic investigations, the questions that are usually raised are:

"Did the victim overdose? 
"What was the poison/ drug used?" 
"Was it murder, an accident or suicide?" and
"How was it taken and how much?"

However, the difference may come down to how it was administered, to the probable dosage depending on the potency (a ‘touch' maybe too much?), to the levels found in the body, to body weight and to the victim's tolerance, whether or not a regular user of the substance. Then there's always the motive for carrying out the deed.