Forensic Toxicology Topic Collection
Toxicology Specimens and Biological Matrices
A toxicology result is inseparable from the specimen that was tested. Blood, urine, oral fluid, hair, vitreous humor, tissue, and small-volume samples each have different collection, stability, and interpretation considerations.
A connected scientific topic guide
Matrix selection shapes the target concentration, detection pattern, preparation procedure, and the kinds of questions a result can answer. A careful resource library treats specimen science as part of the analytical method.
Use these related resources to understand the method, specimen, quality checks, and interpretation limits that belong with a careful toxicology discussion.
Articles in this collection
Specimen Collection in Forensic Toxicology Specimen Storage and Stability in Toxicology Urine Specimen Validity Testing Oral Fluid Toxicology Testing Hair Toxicology Testing Dried Blood Spot Toxicology Vitreous Humor Toxicology Meconium Toxicology Testing Umbilical Cord Tissue Toxicology Comparing Biological Matrices in Toxicology Whole Blood vs. Plasma Toxicology Results Serum Toxicology Testing Liver Tissue Toxicology Gastric Contents in Toxicology Hemolysis and Toxicology Specimens Small-Volume Toxicology Specimens Specimen Homogenization in Toxicology Specimen Aliquots in Toxicology Testing Toxicology Specimen Documentation and Tracking