Forensic toxicologists need skills in chemistry, biology, computer science, leadership, team building, mathematics, public speaking, and scientific writing. Communication skills are essential for working with multiple agencies. They collect evidence, examine crime scenes, and make mathematical calculations to determine cause of death.
Many skills are required for a person to become a forensic toxicologist, from knowledge in chemistry and biology to computer science. Perhaps none of the skills needed to become a forensic toxicologist are as invaluable as communication skills. Other skills such as leadership and team building are also very important for anyone wanting to become a forensic toxicologist. Mathematical, public speaking, and scientific writing skills are also required for forensic toxicologists, and these skills will be used frequently in preparing results, determining cause of death, and eliminating suspects.
A forensic toxicologist examines the effects of chemicals on living organisms and is commonly employed to uncover evidence and details of causes of death and details of illnesses in criminal investigations. This position is biologically oriented and requires extensive background in chemistry and biology, as well as research experience as a research assistant. Communication skills are essential for forensic toxicologists who will be working with multiple agencies concurrently when trying to decipher evidence and organize sample testing. Depending on where the forensic toxicologist works, studying a foreign language can also be a vital skill for a forensic worker to possess.
As a member of an investigative team, the toxicologist is usually responsible for collecting evidence and examining potential crime scenes. This requires the toxicologist to possess leadership skills and the confidence to oversee an investigation. Appointing other investigators to examine possible areas of evidence and making determinations of how the investigation will proceed are the responsibilities of a principal investigator. Team building is a very important skill for any investigator to possess. This is especially true when working with members from many different and often competing jurisdictions at a single crime scene.
Once biological and chemical assessments have been made, many investigations come down to the mathematical skills of the forensic toxicologist. Using elaborate calculations and calculations of body weight and the effect of a certain chemical, the results are deduced through mathematical skills. These mathematical calculations often provide not only a time frame for ingestion of the chemical, but also the time it takes for it to kill or injure the body once ingested. Public speaking skills are often used when presenting the findings of a given case, and writing skills are used when creating reports to substantiate the conclusions and submitting the results of the findings in a permanent file.
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