How Does Toxicology Differentiate Between Accidental Death and Homicide?
The concentration of toxins and the presence of multiple substances can suggest intentional poisoning. For instance, high levels of a particular poison, especially if it is uncommon or not found in the victim's environment, may indicate foul play. Toxicologists also consider the toxicokineticsâthe way a substance is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted in the bodyâto assess whether the levels found are consistent with a single or repeated exposure.