Episode Twenty Four: Toxicology cover art

Episode Twenty Four: Toxicology

Episode Twenty Four: Toxicology

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

This week on The Final Touch, we’re peeling back the curtain on the part of the autopsy process that confuses families the most: toxicology.

We break down exactly how toxicology labs work — from choosing specimens to running screening tests, confirmatory testing, mass spectrometry, and why results often take weeks or even months.

You’ll learn what toxicologists look for, how decomposition changes the process, what samples can be used when blood isn’t available, and why interpreting results is just as important as the science itself.

If you’ve ever wondered what “pending toxicology” really means, this episode will give you clarity, insight, and a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most crucial steps in determining cause of death.

No reviews yet