Alcohol, drugs & toxicology

Effects of drugs and alcohol
Alcohol, medications and illicit drugs are widely used and can affect judgement, inhibitions and memory. Often crimes occur where the complainant, defendant or witnesses have consumed drugs or alcohol. We can consider blood or urine test results or stated drug and alcohol intakes and provide advice on the possible effects on state of mind and physical capability at the time of the alleged offences. We can also provide independent analysis of blood or urine samples for the presence of alcohol and drugs.

Driving offences
We have extensive experience of dealing with offences under the Road Traffic Act 1988 including all types of 'drink drive' and 'drug drive' offences. We regularly provide reports including alcohol calculations and assessment of the viability of spiked drink and hip flask defences. We can also consider the effects of exposure to drugs, medications, solvents and chemicals.

In drug drive cases there are no defined legal limits for drugs intake, and drugs or their metabolites can persist in the body for longer than they cause impairment. We consider toxicology results, stated usage habits and witness statements to form an opinion as to whether an individual is likely to have been unfit to drive.

Illicit drugs
We can advise and comment on analytical results in cases involving the seizures of controlled drugs and can assess both the drugs themselves and plastic bags and cling film drug wrappings. We regularly provide opinions on the usage patterns and prices of controlled drugs and can also assist in cases of drug residues - such as on bank notes or mobile phones.

Illicit drug use is often an issue in family court or disciplinary proceedings where one or more parties may be alleged to use drugs. We can provide hair drug analysis to assist the court in determining the various parties' drug use over several months.

Forensic expertise when you need it