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How do forensic pathologists work with toxicologists during a death investigation?

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autopsy English physicians Charles Scarborough and Edward Arris performing an autopsy in 1651 (watercolour painted in 1818 by G.P. Harding from an original work in the Barber Surgeons' Hall, London).

During a death investigation, forensic pathologists and forensic toxicologists work in close collaboration to determine the cause and manner of death, particularly when poisoning or drug use is suspected.12

The process typically involves the following steps:

Sample Collection: During the autopsy, the forensic pathologist performs a careful dissection of the body to search for evidence of injury or disease. As part of this examination, they collect tissue and fluid samples to be analyzed by the toxicologist.13
Analysis: The forensic toxicologist examines these samples to identify and quantify any drugs, poisons, or other substances present in the body.23
Interpretation: The toxicologist determines the concentration of these substances and interprets their potential effects, including how they may have interacted with one another or contributed to the individual's death.2
Integration: The pathologist integrates the toxicologist’s findings with their own observations from the autopsy and information from criminal investigators to reach a final conclusion regarding the cause and manner of death.12

This partnership is essential for ensuring accurate death certification and preventing miscarriages of justice in suspicious cases.1