Admissibility of Toxicological Evidence in Indian Criminal Adjudication: A Medico-Legal Discourse

Abstract

At the nexus of analytical chemistry, pharmacology, and law, forensic toxicology plays a foremost role in determining whether a drug, poison, or other xenobiotic substance caused death, injury, or altered behaviour. In such cases, toxicological evidence plays a central role in forensic science and criminal adjudications. The medico-legal aspects of toxicological evidence address its admissibility, reliability, and application in criminal adjudication. This review synthesizes the historical development, the role of toxicologists, and the admissibility of toxicological evidence before criminal adjudication. In Criminal adjudication, toxicological evidence is admissible, and courts have found it useful in resolving criminal cases. Its impartiality, scientific credibility, unbiased nature, systematic investigative procedure, and detective or explanatory nature allow it to remain a permanent and paramount guest in the courtroom.