Best Forensic Toxicology Podcasts (2025)

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[BONUS] Diamond rain on Saturn (maybe) and UV rays breaking down harmful dyes: Tiny Show and Tell Us #28 16:19

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1d ago16:19

16:19

In this episode of Tiny Show and Tell Us, we tackle the debate surrounding whether or not it rains diamonds on Saturn. Then we talk about how UV degradation can break down some of the harmful residual dyes from plastic pollution, and what it means in the context of microplastics. We need your stories — they're what make these bonus episodes possibl…

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The strange science and history of quantum computing and how it could transform chemistry 26:00

8d ago26:00

26:00

On May 7, 1981, influential physicist Richard Feynman gave a keynote speech at Caltech. Feynman opened his talk by politely rejecting the very notion of a keynote speech, instead saying that he had his own ideas on what to discuss and that everyone should speak on what they please. And for Feynman, this meant proposing a new technology that could s…

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[BONUS] Squirrel pox and did tin buttons cause the downfall of Napoleon's army?: Tiny Show and Tell Us #27 13:04

16d ago13:04

13:04

In this episode of Tiny Show and Tell Us, we cover squirrel pox — a disease that hasn’t had a huge impact in the United States but has decimated populations of squirrels in the UK. Then we talk about the story that Napoleon's army lost the Battle of Waterloo because the military uniforms used tin buttons that broke apart in cold temperatures, makin…

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Making labs safer: A heavy metal poisoning, a deadly protein exposure, and their aftermath 35:16

23d ago35:16

35:16

In January, 1997, David Nierenberg was a physician at Dartmouth‐Hitchcock Medical Center, specializing in toxicology. Chemist Karen Wetterhahn was placed in his care. When she arrived at the hospital, Karen was slurring her speech and having difficulty balancing and with coordination. What David soon learned was that her symptoms were all due to a …

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[BONUS] Fetuses ‘listening’ to different languages and climate change affecting psychiatric meds: Tiny Show and Tell Us #26 15:55

1M ago15:55

15:55

In this episode of Tiny Show and Tell Us, we talk about how climate change may impact the effectiveness of mental health medications and how heat waves impact mental health more generally. Then we cover how fetal heart rates can change depending on which language they’re hearing while in the womb. We need your stories — they're what make these bonu…

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5 in 30 (Reunion Island psychotropic cocktail, GHB: Doctors vs Toxicologists, New-fangled fragmentation and more) 33:16

1M ago33:16

33:16

We look at 5 recent publications in the field of toxicology. Dietzen, Dennis J., and Connor J. Blair. "Precision Chemotherapy: Optimizing Calibration for Rapid Determination of Blood Methotrexate by Tandem Mass Spectrometry±Liquid Chromatography." Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 39.14 (2025): e10053. Skjelland, D., Jørgenrud, B. M., Gunde…

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How NASA scientists are monitoring and predicting wildfires from space 26:54

1M ago26:54

26:54

Climate change has brought forth extreme fire events, like the Palisade and Eaton fires in Los Angeles, which devastated communities in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades in the beginning of 2025. And it’s becoming harder to not wonder: Is this just the world we live in now? Under the constant threat of catastrophic fires? Fortunately, we have the …

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[BONUS] The FDA’s ban of Red Dye No. 3 and the surprising science of winter roads: Tiny Show and Tell Us #25 17:03

1M ago17:03

17:03

In this episode of Tiny Show and Tell Us, we talk about why the FDA recently banned Red Dye No. 3 and how concerned people should be about its use in food. Then we cover icy winter roads and the fascinating science behind clearing them and taking a more sustainable approach that won’t hurt the environment. We need your stories — they're what make t…

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Multimodal MSI for Drug Analysis on Fingerprints 18:42

2M ago18:42

18:42

My Second PhD Paper Although drug facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) is an old issue, current statistics on the frequency of this crime have led to growing concerns. As these drugs are metabolised very quickly, toxicological evidence from biological fluids, corroborating the victim's statement, is challenging to recover, especially with late reports…

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How a Mars mission from the 1970s shaped the search for extraterrestrial life today 35:49

2M ago35:49

35:49

In 1975, NASA launched two spacecraft to Mars. Viking 1 and Viking 2 arrived at their destination less than a year later, each bringing a lander to explore the surface of the planet and an orbiter to survey above. What was supposed to be a 90 day mission ended up lasting until the early 1980s. Those years provided scientists with important data abo…

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NPS Update - June 2025 40:16

2M ago40:16

40:16

WIN A TOXPOD MUG! Listen to the episode and email [email protected] the name of the EUDA's 1000th drug and we'll send one lucky listener a coveted Toxpod mug! Keeping up to date with New Psychoactive Substances is hard! We've assembled a crack team of international experts to help us do just that: Michael Evans-Brown, EUDA Jared Brown, UNODC Alex Kr…

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[BONUS] Babies leaving cells behind in mom and rethinking the Big Bang: Tiny Show and Tell Us #24 17:51

2M ago17:51

17:51

In this episode of Tiny Show and Tell Us, we talk about what dark energy and dark matter are made out of and how knowing more could upend our understanding of the Big Bang. Then we cover microchimeric cells — cells transferred between baby and mom — and how new research in mice shows that fetal cells that took residency in mom from a first pregnanc…

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Ozempic: The science behind this blockbuster drug and its untapped potential 26:00

2M ago26:00

26:00

In December 2017, the FDA approved a new injectable drug to treat type 2 diabetes called semaglutide, which you likely know by its brand name: Ozempic. A few years later, during the pandemic, Wegovy, a drug with a higher dose of the same active ingredient, was approved specifically for chronic weight management. Soon after, people taking Ozempic st…

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[BONUS] Marfan syndrome and plant pathogens eating DNA: Tiny Show and Tell Us #23 12:50

2M ago12:50

12:50

In this episode of Tiny Show and Tell Us, we hear from a listener who has Marfan syndrome and dive into the complexities of the disease. Then we talk about pathogens that eat — or infiltrate! — plant DNA. We need your stories — they're what make these bonus episodes possible! Write in to [email protected] *or fill out this form* with your favorit…

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The Zinc Connection: The Pancreas, Diabetes and Beyond 23:58

2M ago23:58

23:58

Send us a text In this episode, we explore the connection between zinc and diabetes, focusing on functions of zinc in the pancreas and for blood glucose control. Using animal models of obesity and prediabetes, researchers investigated how mild zinc deficiency—similar to levels potentially seen in humans—affects the pancreas and regulation of blood …

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How a little-known vaccine project and decades of HIV research made "Operation Warp Speed" possible 36:32

3M ago36:32

36:32

Over the last 200 years or so, vaccines have come a long way, for a number of viruses. We’ve made so much progress, in fact, that in 2017 scientists began the early stages of vaccine development for some virus families they believed could pose a future pandemic threat. One of those families was Coronaviridae: coronaviruses. Not many people know tha…

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TIAFT Bulletin Episode 55(1) 16:25

3M ago16:25

16:25

Peter is joined by Bulletin editors Rebecca, Samantha and Luke for a rundown of the latest Bulletin. For more information on the Bulletin, including how to submit content, click here. Contact us at [email protected] Find out more about TIAFT at www.tiaft.org The Toxpod is a production of The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists. The o…

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Episode 11: Dr. Maneesha Pandey, MBBS 50:36

3M ago50:36

50:36

Dr. Maneesha Pandey, MBBS talks about what it has been like for her Becoming a Medical Examiner. Erik Handberg: @TheForensicMD on TikTok, other social accounts deleted because they were exhausting. You can also find me on YouTube at www.youtube.com/@theforensicmd Maneesha Pandey: www.theforensicpathologists.com…

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[BONUS] Time limits for anesthesia and stunning bioluminescence: Tiny Show and Tell Us #22 12:35

3M ago12:35

12:35

In this episode of Tiny Show and Tell Us, we break down what limits on anesthesia could mean, both for doctors and patients. Then we hear from a listener who’s on a research trip in Puerto Rico and went kayaking in a bioluminescent bay. What is bioluminescence? And what are the perfect conditions to try to see it? We need your stories — they're wha…

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Episode 10: Dr. Anna Tart, MD 1:14:50

3M ago1:14:50

1:14:50

I am sorry for the incredibly long delay everyone! I ran out of motivation and had some personal life things come up - but we're back! Here's episode 10. Dr. Anna Tart, MD talks about what it has been like for her Becoming a Medical Examiner. Erik Handberg: @TheForensicMD on TikTok, other social accounts deleted because they were exhausting. You ca…

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The placenta: A disposable organ we can’t live without 34:57

3M ago34:57

34:57

The placenta is essential for life, but so much of its function is unknown. In this episode, we talk about how this disposable organ’s development within the early weeks of pregnancy shapes so much of what happens months later. We tackle what makes the human placenta so unique, what other animals like reptiles are teaching us about it, and how scie…

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[BONUS] An inspiring pharmacist grandma and orcas wearing dead salmon hats: Tiny Show and Tell Us #21 14:38

3M ago14:38

14:38

In this episode of Tiny Show and Tell Us, we hear from a listener about her incredible grandma who’s a pharmacist in Venezuela (still, at 92 years old!) and has inspired her love of science and current lab work. We then talk about orcas spotted wearing dead salmon as hats, and what this fishy behavior may mean. We need your stories — they're what m…

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Fingerprints and Mass spectrometry 11:33

3M ago11:33

11:33

Matrix-AssistedLaser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MALDI-MSI) has become acritical tool for biometric and lifestyle analysis through fingermarks,significantly aiding police investigations. Pioneered by Sheffield HallamUniversity and the Francese group, this technique revolutionizes chemicalfingerprint analysis by providing detail…

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How glaciers safeguard Earth’s future and hold clues to our ancient past 29:16

4M ago29:16

29:16

The reason many of us hear about glaciers has to do with sea level rise — which makes sense! If all of the glaciers on Earth melted, sea levels are predicted to increase by about 230 feet (70 meters), which would flood coastal areas, envelope a number of islands, and seriously impact human infrastructure, including our current water resources. But …

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[BONUS] Evolutionary adaptations to high altitudes and e-cigs vs. dry herb vaporizers: Tiny Show and Tell Us #20 12:58

4M ago12:58

12:58

In this episode of Tiny Show and Tell Us, we discuss the differences between e-cigarettes (vapes) and far-less-studied dry herb vaporizers. Then we talk about some of the incredible evolutionary adaptations of populations of people living at high altitudes. We need your stories — they're what make these bonus episodes possible! Write in to tinymatt…

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How 18th and 19th century 'race science' still has deadly medical consequences today 27:55

4M ago27:55

27:55

In the 1700s and early 1800s scientists from Europe and the Americas were studying what they called "race science," a pseudoscientific field of study promoting the idea that humans could be divided into separate and unequal races. Biases stemming from race science have influenced medicine for hundreds of years, and still have deadly consequences to…

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[BONUS] Crocheted wasp nests and sewage in reefs: Tiny Show and Tell Us #19 12:51

4M ago12:51

12:51

In this episode of Tiny Show and Tell Us, we discuss if a crocheted wasp nest could actually attract wasps and keep them from invading your property. Then we talk about how sewage is impacting the resilience of coral reefs. We need your stories — they're what make these bonus episodes possible! Write in to [email protected] *or fill out this form…

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From Energy Drinks to Drugs: Uncovering Stimulants 32:40

4M ago32:40

32:40

Send us a text In this episode, forensic toxicologist Dr. Karolina Nowak takes us into the world of forensic toxicology, from the energy drinks we consume daily to the dangerous synthetic drugs on the streets. Dr. Nowak discusses the growing issues surrounding stimulant use, including the rise of synthetic drugs and the overlooked dangers of legal …

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The rape kit: From controversial 1970s invention to ending the backlog today 31:17

5M ago31:17

31:17

In the 1970s, the rape kit began as a simple box with some envelopes, a comb, nail clippers, and a few other basic tools. The contents of the kit have evolved somewhat since then, but the technology to analyze samples has evolved astronomically. And, through and through, the rape kit has stood for the idea that every survivor has the right to go to…

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[BONUS] Double rainbows and mysterious chromosomes: Tiny Show and Tell Us #18 10:51

5M ago10:51

10:51

In this episode of Tiny Show and Tell Us, we cover the science of rainbows and why double rainbows are always mirror images. Then we talk about mysterious, yet super common, chromosomes called Robertsonian chromosomes that seem to have a significant impact on human health. We need your stories — they're what make these bonus episodes possible! Writ…