Anne ImObersteg and Associates evaluates cases and records for scientific issues. She has developed an evaluation form (see QuikTox on the site menu)to assist in the assessment of toxicology cases. Upon review of the documents, an opinion is reached and expressed to the client in the form of a written declaration or verbal report. Often, Anne ImObersteg is called in as an expert witness to testify on her opinion.

The goal of any Forensic Toxicologist should be to develop an opinion based on an unbiased and thorough review of case material. Opinions are based on the type of case, the facts of the case, and information generated though a police report, medical report, and/or laboratory results. The information that can be elicited from these records include:



THE POLICE REPORT
1. The type of specimen colected; urine, blood, saliva etc.
2. Any statements of the Defendant
3. The driving behavior
4. The performance on Field Sobriety Test(FST) or Drug Recognition Exam (DRE)
5. Whether the DRE exam was performed in accordance with official Federal DRE protocol
6. Which physiological charateristics were noted (rapid pulse etc.)

THE LABORATORY RECORDS
1. The quality of the analysis; presumptive test or confirmation (GC/MS), standards and controls used, duplicate or singlet analysis
2. The presence of an active substance or inactive metabolite
3. The determination of the concentration in the biological fluid tested
4. The possible determination of therapeutic vs. abuse blood concentration levels
5. The maintenance and calibration of the machines used in testing
6. The determination of "usable" amounts for seized solid form drugs (residue vs. usual dose)
7. The determination of clandestine laboratory yield or further manufacturing capability

MEDICAL RECORDS
1. The medical information gathered by a paramedic or emergency room personnel
2. The nature of the injuries sustained
3. Other possible causes for the signs and symptoms noted by the police officer
4. Any laboratory chemical tests performed by the hospital