General Information

The ISDT forensic toxicology laboratory provides analyses of blood specimens for Indiana law enforcement agencies and coroners. At present, the majority of specimens submitted for testing are from operation of a vehicle while intoxicated investigations. The laboratory tests for most of the drugs typically found in such cases, including ethanol, marijuana (cannabinoids), benzodiazepines, opioids (related to morphine), amphetamines, and cocaine.

Current instrumentation includes:

• Headspace Gas Chromatography for analysis for ethanol, isopropanol, methanol, and acetone
• GC/MS (Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry) for drug confirmation analysis
• LC/QQQ (Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry) for drug confirmation analysis
• LC/TOF (Liquid Chomatrography Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry) for drug screening analysis

Generally, specimens are screened for alcohols and/or drugs; then confirmation analysis is performed for each positive screening result.

ISDT laboratory staff includes two analytical laboratory supervisors, eleven forensic scientists, and three forensic laboratory technicians.

In general, we have been working to streamline our processes. To ensure you are receiving timely communications from ISDT staff, please confirm you are emailing requests appropriately.

• Laboratory (status of case, expedited testing, etc): laboratory@isdt.in.gov
• ToxResults (laboratory reports): toxresults@isdt.in.gov
• Kit requests: toxkits@isdt.in.gov
• Records requests and subpoenas: isdttrials@isdt.in.gov