Importancia de la toxicología forense en la investigación criminal

Abstract

Introduction: Forensic toxicology is an essential discipline within forensic medicine and criminal investigation, focused on analyzing toxic substances such as drugs and poisons in the human body to establish their relevance in legal contexts. Its importance has grown due to the increase in illicit drug use and new psychoactive substances. Forensic toxicology provides objective, scientifically validated evidence crucial for investigating crimes, determining causes of death, and detecting toxic substances in victims and suspects. This review aims to update and synthesize recent literature on the importance of forensic toxicology, highlighting technological and methodological advancements, evaluating recent studies and cases, and analyzing current challenges. It underscores its crucial role in the criminal justice system and promotes its continuous development. Objective: Update and synthesize recent literature on the importance of forensic toxicology in criminal investigation, highlighting technological and methodological advancements and their practical applications in case resolution, to provide a contemporary and enhanced perspective on its impact on the criminal justice system. Materials and methods: The present work is a descriptive study, based on a review of up-to-date scientific articles from indexed bibliographic sources, in order to provide a better approach to the subject. Conclusion: The review of recent literature highlights the importance of forensic toxicology in the criminal justice system and emphasizes the need for continuous training and adaptation to technological innovations to improve case resolution and the administration of justice.