CSFRE and TJU Offer MS in Forensic Toxicology

 Barry Logan is a world-renowned toxicologist with expertise in postmortem forensic toxicology and designer drugs. He serves as the senior vice president of the forensic science initiatives at NMS Labs. Concurrently, toxicologist Barry Logan is an executive director at the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CSFRE).

In 2018, the CSFRE partnered with Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) to initiate the Master of Science in Forensic Toxicology program at the university. The two-year (six-semester) specialized program was established to promote the availability of trained and qualified forensic toxicologists in the United States. The program offers quality training and access to quality forensic laboratory tools. Qualified mentors provide expert instruction, and these mentors are renowned forensic toxicology professors.

Students receive instructions on key aspects of toxicology, analytical chemistry, forensic investigation, and interpretation, which form integral aspects of the coursework offered in the program. A candidate must have completed a graduate-level research program to be eligible for the MS program.

Driving Under the Influence of Synthetic Cannabinoids

 

Barry Logan earned a PhD in forensic toxicology from the University of Glasgow. He occupies executive roles as a forensic toxicologist with NMS Labs and the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education. Toxicologist Barry Logan is also an industry expert in designer drugs such as “bath salts” and synthetic cannabinoids.

Synthetic cannabinoids are addictive and toxic psychoactive chemicals illegally manufactured to mimic the effects of THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the principle psychoactive chemical in cannabis. When mixed with other chemicals like stimulants or opioids, synthetic cannabinoids exhibit a more severe psychoactive potency compared to natural THC. Synthetic cannabinoids can dull focus while driving due to their sedative effects. The chemicals also impair or delay motor response. Due to their cannabis-like performance deficit effect, synthetic cannabinoids do not facilitate safe driving. Consequently, driving under the influence of synthetic cannabinoids is illegal in the United States.

One case of synthetic cannabinoid impaired driving was published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences in 2014. The study featured a drug-impaired driver who caused a traffic collision. The driver displayed a blank stare for several minutes immediately following the impact, and was unable to respond verbally to questions at that time. A DRE examination of the driver also found a low body temperature.