Westminster City Council P81 - Toxicology Services for the Coroner

The Inner West London Coroner’s Court provides coronial services for the City of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Wandsworth and Merton. The Senior Coroner for Inner West London is procuring toxicology services to support the investigation of deaths within the Jurisdiction.

Results of toxicological testing can be vital for pathologists to ascertain the medical cause of death.

The required toxicology services will include, but are not limited to:

• Comprehensive toxicological analysis of biological samples (e.g., blood, urine, tissue).
• Detection and quantification of drugs (over the counter and illicit), alcohol, poisons, and other toxic substances.
• In house hair analysis for drugs of abuse.
• Provision of detailed toxicology reports to assist in determining the cause of death.
• Expert witness services for court proceedings, if necessary.
• Consultation and advisory services related to toxicology findings.

All services are required to be carried out following the guidelines agreed by the United Kingdom & Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists. These guidelines are recognised by the Forensic Science Regulator and Chief Coroner. Analysis is required to be tailored to each case individually to ensure all necessary analysis is carried out but only those drug concentrations which can be interpreted are measured. At present, hair analysis is routinely offered for all the Inner West London Coroner’s cases.