Understanding drug and alcohol testing is an important aspect of legal practice. Learning how to interpret results (and knowing when to consult with an expert) from these methods and analyses is vital to the success of many cases, whether in adult criminal or juvenile court, child custody or other care and protection cases, violation of probation hearings, or other legal matters involving drug or alcohol evidence. Allegations of drugs or alcohol use and misuse are not always supported by the weight of relevant scientific evidence. Weighing that evidence involves a detailed understanding of testing methods-both “screening level” and “confirmatory”-their strengths and weaknesses, and why they can provide ambiguous results. This is especially true of tests involving opiates and amphetamines. Testing for ethyl alcohol- whether in people’s breath, urine, or blood-can yield more straightforward results, but the proper extrapolation of those results involves a detailed understanding of the pharmacokinetics of ethanol and the testing methods’ shortcomings. Understanding and interpreting the results generally requires detailed laboratory reports and medical records; even such an apparently simple process as weighing suspected drug samples may not be as straightforward as it appears.
Join the experts as we look at the fields of analytical chemistry, toxicology, pharmacokinetics, and statistics, and their roles in both criminal and care and protection cases. Learn how to evaluate the evidence, when to obtain and use your own experts, and practical litigation tips.
Join the experts as we look at the fields of analytical chemistry, toxicology, pharmacokinetics, and statistics, and their roles in both criminal and care and protection cases. Learn how to evaluate the evidence, when to obtain and use your own experts, and practical litigation tips.
Course Content
2:00pm - 2:05pmWelcome and Introduction
2:05pm - 2:30pm
Toxicology for Lawyers: Drug & Alcohol Testing: Understanding Testing: Urine, Saliva, Blood, Sweat, and Hair
Dr. Laura C. Green, Ph.D, D.A.B.T.,
Green Toxicology LLC, Brookline
Nathan Tamulis, Esq.,
Committee for Public Counsel Services, Boston
2:30pm - 2:45pm
Toxicology for Lawyers: Drug & Alcohol Testing: Case Study: Opiates in Urine Do Not Always Indicate Opiate Drug Use: Or, “It’s Not Just a Seinfeld Episode”
Dr. Laura C. Green, Ph.D, D.A.B.T.,
Green Toxicology LLC, Brookline
2:45pm - 3:05pm
Toxicology for Lawyers: Drug & Alcohol Testing: Extrapolating Results of Blood Alcohol Testing
Dr. Laura C. Green, Ph.D, D.A.B.T.,
Green Toxicology LLC, Brookline
Dr. Edmund A.C. Crouch,
Green Toxicology LLC
3:05pm - 3:25pm
Toxicology for Lawyers: Drug & Alcohol Testing: How and Why Statistics May Matter for Your Case
Dr. Edmund A.C. Crouch,
Green Toxicology LLC
3:35pm - 3:40pm
Networking and Refreshment Break
3:40pm - 4:00pm
Toxicology for Lawyers: Drug & Alcohol Testing: Criminal Cases: Testing for Impairment - DREs and FSTs
Ira L. Gant, Esq.,
Committee for Public Counsel Services, Brockton
Nathan Tamulis, Esq.,
Committee for Public Counsel Services, Boston
4:00pm - 4:30pm
Toxicology for Lawyers: Drug & Alcohol Testing: Care and Protection Cases: Neonatal, Meconium, and Other Tests in C&P Cases; Risks of Transmission During Breastfeeding; Investigating and Presenting Evidence of Sobriety
Lee A. Howard, Esq.,
Committee for Public Counsel Services, Worcester
4:30pm - 4:45pm
Toxicology for Lawyers: Drug & Alcohol Testing: Discovery Tips: What to Ask for and How to Understand It
Ira L. Gant, Esq.,
Committee for Public Counsel Services, Brockton
Nathan Tamulis, Esq.,
Committee for Public Counsel Services, Boston
Lee A. Howard, Esq.,
Committee for Public Counsel Services, Worcester
Please Note
This webcast is delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal.
There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only.
They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.
Speakers
CochairsIra L. Gant, Esq.,
Committee for Public Counsel Services, Brockton
Nathan Tamulis, Esq.,
Committee for Public Counsel Services, Boston
Faculty
Dr. Edmund A.C. Crouch,
Green Toxicology LLC,
Dr. Laura C. Green, Ph.D, D.A.B.T.,
Green Toxicology LLC, Brookline
Nancy L. Hathaway, Esq.,
Committee for Public Counsel Services, Children and Family Law Division, Boston
Lee A. Howard, Esq.,
Committee for Public Counsel Services, Worcester
