In this episode of the Impairment Perspectives Podcast, host Joey Jones sits down with Dr. Karen Scott, Director of Forensic Toxicology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, for a conversation about forensic science education, toxicology, and the real-world challenges of preparing the next generation of professionals. Dr. Scott shares insights from her international career, her work in forensic training, and her passion for building practical skills in the lab and beyond.

In this episode of Impairment Perspectives, host Joey Jones talks with Nelly Mikhaltsevich, a Forensic Scientist III with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Services Bureau, about the complex and evolving world of cannabinoid testing in forensic toxicology.

Nelly shares her journey from student aide to experienced forensic scientist, reflecting on nearly two decades in the crime lab and her growing expertise in cannabinoid analysis. The conversation explores the scientific challenges of separating and identifying THC isomers, including Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC, and the importance of developing validated LC-MS/MS methods in a post-Farm Bill landscape.

Joey and Nelly also discuss the realities of method validation, courtroom testimony, laboratory problem-solving, and the balance between high-stakes forensic work and family life. This episode offers an inside look at the precision, persistence, and curiosity required to keep forensic toxicology moving forward as drug trends continue to change.

In this episode of Impairment Perspectives, host Joey Jones sits down with forensic toxicologist Amanda D’Orazio of NMS Labs for a conversation about the evolving world of drug-impaired driving toxicology. Amanda shares her path into forensic toxicology, her work helping shape national DUID testing recommendations, and the importance of standardizing drug testing practices across laboratories.

The discussion explores how consensus recommendations are developed, why evolving drug trends require continual updates, and how emerging substances such as nitrous oxide create new challenges for law enforcement, laboratories, and expert witnesses. Amanda also reflects on career growth, collaboration within the forensic science community, and the real-world demands of communicating toxicology findings in court.

This episode offers a thoughtful look at the intersection of science, policy, and public safety through the perspective of a scientist helping guide the future of impairment testing.