What type of substances does a forensic toxicologist specifically focus on?

A forensic toxicologist specifically focuses on both toxins and legal substances, which encompasses a wide range of compounds that can have toxic effects on the human body. This audience includes illegal drugs, prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and various natural toxins. The work of a forensic toxicologist is crucial in cases of overdose, poisoning, and death investigations where substances found in the body play a significant role in understanding the cause of harm or death.

Focusing solely on illegal drugs or prescription medications would limit the scope of their investigations and could potentially overlook important evidence related to other toxic substances that may be present in a sample. Moreover, limiting the focus to chemicals used in industry neglects the broader range of substances that might be encountered in cases involving accidental poisoning or drug abuse. Therefore, the inclusion of both toxins and legal substances reflects the comprehensive nature of forensic toxicology and its application in various legal and medical contexts.