The field of forensic drug analysis is rapidly advancing, driven by innovations in technology and analytical instrumentation. These advancements have significant implications for forensic science and criminal justice. Forensic Drug Analysis for Toxicologists serves as a guide for toxicologists in forensic science, law enforcement, and the legal system, highlighting methodologies, best practices, and the integration of science within legal frameworks. This book describes advanced analytical techniques, such as instrumental methods of analysis, electromagnetic spectrum, spectrophotometry, stringent quality control protocols, and cutting-edge technologies that enhance the accuracy and reliability of toxicological assessments. By bridging technical insights with procedural requirements, this account offers a holistic understanding of forensic drug analysis and its applications.

Key Features:

• Provides fundamental insights and basic knowledge in forensic science, forensic medicine, and toxicology in a clear and accessible manner.

• Includes an introduction to narcotic and psychotropic drugs, drug of abuse, classification and properties of NDPS, and conventional methods of analysis.

• Reviews the legal framework and regulatory standards and provides tips for court testimony.

Dr. Sachil Kumar is an accomplished academician, researcher, and forensic scientist, currently serving as an Associate Professor at the Amity Institute of Forensic Sciences, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India. With over a decade of experience in teaching, research, and forensic casework, he has developed a strong academic and professional profile in forensic science at national and international levels. His previous academic appointments include Assistant Professor at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and faculty positions at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Sandip University, and Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, India. He earned his Ph.D. in Forensic Chemistry and Forensic Medicine from the Postgraduate Department of Pathology at King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow, India. His research journey has been supported by prestigious CSIR–UGC Junior and Senior Research Fellowships and International Travel Support under the Department of Science and Technology’s DST-SERB scheme. His doctoral research focused on developing cost-effective biochemical and proteomic approaches for postmortem interval (PMI) estimation, particularly investigating cardiac troponin T (cTnT) as a potential biomarker for estimating the time since death. His research expertise encompasses forensic analytical toxicology, designer drugs, synthetic cannabinoids, emerging psychoactive substances, chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques, postmortem biochemistry, and medico-legal investigations. Dr. Kumar has authored and co-authored academic textbooks and reference volumes with international publishers, including CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Group, and contributed more than 15 book chapters and over 60 research publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals. His scholarly contributions focus on advancing analytical methodologies, forensic toxicology, and the application of scientific evidence in criminal and medico-legal investigations. In addition to teaching and research, he has contributed to academic publishing as Editorial Secretary of the Arab Journal of Forensic Sciences & Forensic Medicine (AJFSFM) and has served as a peer reviewer for journals in forensic science, toxicology, and medical sciences. He maintains professional associations with international organizations, including the International Alliance of Clinical and Forensic Toxicologists (IACFT), the Japanese Society of Toxicology, and the Arab Society for Forensic Sciences and Forensic Medicine. Through his interdisciplinary research, international academic experience, scholarly publications, and professional engagements, Dr. Kumar continues to contribute to forensic science education, research innovation, and the development of scientifically robust approaches to forensic and medico-legal practice.

Dr. Shipra Rohatgi is an Assistant Professor-II at the Amity Institute of Forensic Sciences, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, India. She holds a PhD in Forensic Science from Amity University Uttar Pradesh, awarded in 2021, and is a Gold Medalist in MSc Forensic Science. With over a decade of teaching and research experience, she has contributed significantly to forensic science education, research, and professional training. Her areas of expertise include forensic chemistry and toxicology, questioned document examination, forensic biology and serology, instrumental analysis, DNA profiling, digital forensics, and the application of artificial intelligence in forensic investigations. She previously served as a full-time faculty member at Amity University, Gurugram, Haryana, from 2014 to 2018. Dr. Rohatgi has authored and co-authored numerous research papers and book chapters on forensic identification, toxicological analysis, cybersecurity, deepfake detection, and emerging forensic technologies, with publications in international academic journals and edited volumes published by reputed publishers, including Springer. Her research achievements include receiving the Best Paper Award at an international conference in 2019, qualifying for the DST INSPIRE Fellowship, and contributing to a patent application for a reversible PVA–borate hydrogel-based micro-trace harvesting gel pen for forensic evidence collection. She also possesses practical expertise in advanced forensic instruments and techniques, including Docubox HD/Dragon, Projectina NIRVIS, Dynascope, and DNA fingerprinting methodologies. In addition to her academic and research pursuits, she actively mentors undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral scholars and has completed professional certification courses through institutions such as Cisco and Basis Technology. Her work reflects a strong commitment to advancing forensic science through interdisciplinary research, innovative technologies, and evidence-based investigative practices.

Dr. Tulsidas R. Baggi retired as Director, Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Bureau of Police Research & Development, Govt. of India, Hyderabad and formerly served as the academic coordinator for M.Sc. (Forensic Science) Program at Osmania University from 2000 to 2014. He was instrumental in establishing the M.Sc. (Analytical Chemistry) program at O.U. Women’s College and the M.Sc. (Forensic Science) course in Osmania University. He holds a Ph.D. in Applied Analytical Chemistry and is a Fellow of the Institution of Chemists (India). He has about 57 years of experience in the areas of forensic science, pharmaceutical analysis, environmental analysis and fuel analysis. He has about 90 research publications in reputed journals. He has received the prestigious President of India Police Medal for Meritorious Services, the H. K. Sen Memorial Medal for Forensic Chemistry, the Thaker Award for Best Research Paper, the Professional Achievement Award, and the Man of the Year Award from the American Biographical Institute, USA, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Forensic Science Forum, Indian Science Congress and Lifetime Achievement Award in Forensic Toxicology from the Indian Society of Toxicology. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and is highly respected in academic circles in the fields of forensic chemistry, forensic toxicology and analytical chemistry. His areas of interest include NDPS, explosives, forensic chemistry and forensic toxicology. He has guided and continues to guide PhD research work and has handled several sensitive cases such as the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, the 1993 Bombay serial bomb blasts and the Chennai RSS building blast. During his tenure, CFSL Hyderabad was designated as Centre of Excellence for Forensic Chemical Sciences. He has traveled widely, including the USA and Canada. He served as a Consultant (R&D), A.P. Forensic Science Laboratory. He is a guest faculty member and on the Board of Examiners of several universities, academic institutions, and training institutions including NPA. He is on the Advisory Panel of UPSC and has been a member of several important committees and boards of the Government of India. He regularly writes for The Hindu, Times of India and The Tribune on forensic and other technical issues. His profile indicates associations with CFSL, APFSL, OU, IDPL, IICT and State Archives. He possesses academic, technical and managerial capabilities. Though he retired 26 years ago and is now about 85 years old, he still remains academically and professionally active. He is a polyglot fluent in English, Hindi, Urdu, Telugu, Marathi, Kannada, German, Persian and Sanskrit, and has interests in photography, archaeology, sociology, psychology, philosophy, and fine arts.