What is the purpose of forensic toxicology?

Forensic toxicology serves the critical function of detecting and identifying drugs, alcohol, poisons, and other harmful substances in biological samples such as blood, urine, and tissues. This field is essential in solving crimes, especially those related to overdose, poisoning, and driving under the influence. By determining the presence and concentration of these substances, forensic toxicologists can provide crucial evidence in legal cases and help establish links between a suspect, the victim, and the substances involved. This analysis can assist law enforcement in understanding the circumstances surrounding a death or injury, thereby leading to informed criminal investigations.

In contrast, the other options focus on unrelated areas of forensic science, such as analyzing fingerprints, studying the ecological impact of insects, or evaluating psychological factors in criminal behavior, which do not fall within the purview of forensic toxicology.