Toxicology and Pharmacology are fields of expertise that are commonly used in UK Criminal Law, and they are so closely related that they are often perceived to be two sides of the same coin. Forensic toxicology and pharmacology both involve the study of the effects of drugs on biological systems, where ‘drugs’ refers to any man-made or natural substance that has either a biochemical or psychological effect on the recipient.
Toxicology
Toxicology refers to the study of the effects of venoms, poisons and drugs on biological organisms. As the name suggests, toxicologists focus on the toxic properties of these substances. This science studies the effects of dosage, factors that influence the strength of chemical toxins, and the method which the toxins enter an organism. The study of toxicology is laboratory based but can involve direct interaction with people or an environment.
Pharmacology
Pharmacology involves research and experimentation with different known or unknown compounds in order to test the various effects they have on different organisms. Often, pharmacologists’ study different types of diseases or disorders and attempt to synthesise new drugs in order to treat them. Consequently, pharmacologists are more focused on the therapeutic and palliative effects of different chemicals, rather than the adverse effects of these chemicals which is more important in the field of toxicology.
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