The result of toxicological testing is often an important factor which helps the Forensic Pathologist determine cause and manner of a patient’s death. Fluids for toxicological testing are obtained from all patients transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for examination. Frequently, toxicology samples are taken from Medical Examiner Investigator cases even when the body is not sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy. Toxicology samples for all medicolegal cases are analyzed by the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory, or by a private contracted laboratory.
