The Sentinel Role of Forensic Toxicology Laboratories to Identify and Act Upon Diverse Drug Threats by Addressing Toxicology and Economic Demands

The authors examine the considerable amount of available literature and data supporting the toxicology and economic demands that contribute to the ever-increasing opportunity costs for forensic testing. Modeling data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, insurance industry, and Project FORESIGHT [19], cost estimates are evaluated resulting from delays in processing DUID cases. The authors follow the technique to value a statistical life to estimate the costs of delayed processing and compare the associated opportunity cost with the cost of additional staffing targeted towards alternative turnaround times in the laboratory. Together, these estimates provide benefit-to-cost ratios and return of investment metrics for policymakers. (Publisher abstract provided).