Toxicology

The Toxicology Laboratory located within the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner Department is nationally accredited by the American Board of Forensic Toxicology, Inc. and offers quality analytical testing services as an integral component of medicolegal death investigations.

The primary role of the Toxicology Laboratory is:

• To identify and measure drugs and poisons in biological samples utilizing acceptable scientific analytical techniques
• To assist the medical examiner in determining the cause and manner of death by determining the presence or absence of toxic substances in specimens from the deceased
• To maintain all documents and data regarding the testing process, quality control, evidence chain of custody, and any other case-related documents
• To properly maintain, secure, and document all accumulated evidence and/or specimens received by the laboratory
• To issue a final report and to provide interpretation of the findings
• To provide expert testimony in a court of law.

Since the Toxicology Laboratory’s inception in 1956 when the Medical Examiner Department began operations, it has evolved into a world-renowned, state-of-the-art, forensic toxicology laboratory.

The 20,000 square foot facility contains 10 individual laboratories, a walk-in refrigerator and freezer for long-term specimen storage, and over three million dollars in instrumentation and equipment.

There are currently 14 employees, including 12 professional forensic toxicologists and 2 support staff. For over 60 years, the Laboratory has proudly served the law enforcement agencies and courts in Miami-Dade County as well as becoming a training center for forensic scientists from all over the world.

Diane M. Boland, PhD, F-ABFT 
Division Director
305-545-2450

George W. Hime
Assistant Director
305-547-5746

To contact the Toxicology Division, send an email to: [email protected].