In April, forensic toxicologists from Axis Forensic Toxicology presented at the Kentucky Coroner’s Association Annual Meeting in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where coroners and death investigators from across the state gathered for continuing education and professional development.
The Axis session focused on practical issues in postmortem forensic toxicology — topics that directly affect how toxicology results are understood and applied in death investigation.
For Axis, education is an important part of client service. A toxicology report is not just a set of findings. It is one part of a larger case record that may include the circumstances of death, investigative information, specimen type, collection details, medical history, and the questions being asked by the coroner, medical examiner, pathologist, or investigator.
Helping clients understand how toxicology fits into that broader case context is central to the way Axis serves
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From left to right: Dr. Marinetti, Mr. Kurtz, Mr Shanks.
Dr. Laureen Marinetti, Chief Toxicologist and Laboratory Director at Axis, discussed specimen collection, specimen selection, postmortem redistribution of drugs, and interpretation of toxicology results in the context of the case. These topics are especially important in postmortem toxicology because the specimen submitted, the condition of that specimen, and the available case history can all affect how results are evaluated.
Stuart Kurtz, M.S., D-ABFT-FT, reviewed the overall toxicology testing process, including screening versus confirmation. His presentation helped clarify how testing moves from initial detection to confirmed findings, and why that process matters for reliable forensic interpretation.
Kevin Shanks, M.S., D-ABFT-FT, discussed the drugs and analytes offered by Axis, as well as current drug trends, including emerging substances. As the drug landscape continues to change, ongoing education helps coroners and investigators stay aware of substances that may be encountered in their communities and cases.
The Axis team also participated in an open question-and-answer session with attendees. This gave coroners and investigators the opportunity to ask practical questions from the field and engage directly with the toxicologists who perform and interpret this work every day.
Jeff Jones, Daviess County KY Coroner and President of the Kentucky Coroner’s Association, shared: “Axis provided practical, case-focused toxicology education that was valuable for our coroners and investigators across Kentucky.”
Axis is grateful to the Kentucky Coroner’s Association for the opportunity to support its continuing education program and for the important work its members do every day on behalf of their communities.
Opportunities like this strengthen communication between the laboratory and the agencies we serve. They also reflect a shared commitment to accurate testing, clear reporting, and thoughtful interpretation in death investigation.
Agencies interested in future training or toxicology education may contact the Axis toxicology team at [email protected] or 317-759-4869, Option 3.