Drug and Alcohol – Forensic Toxicology Annual Report 2017

The Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Branch (BSRB) is a branch of the Aerospace Medical Research Division that includes three teams focused on improving aviation safety through accident investigation. The Autopsy Program Team is an operational team that collects, manages, and maintains all autopsy records from the investigation of fatal aircraft accidents in the United States and supports the aeromedical review of these accidents. The Biochemistry and Forensic Toxicology Research Teams conduct research on accident fatalities and serve as the primary national site for toxicology testing of accidents overseen by federal agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). In 2017, the BSRB received 297 cases from accidents in various modes of transportation including aviation, highway, marine, and rail. The laboratory received biological specimens from 15 incidents in which the pilot, driver, or primary operator was nonfatal. Toxicological analyses, including carboxyhemoglobin, glucose, volatiles, and drug analyses were performed on cases during the investigation process. Of the 272 cases that had a comprehensive drug screen performed, 142 cases were negative while 130 cases were positive for at least one drug. This report contains widely requested data on the toxicological findings of the cases handled by the BSRB. This report includes comparisons of data over a five-year period. The aerospace community, including FAA leadership, NTSB personnel, aerospace researchers, forensic toxicologists, and the public will use the findings and trends of this report to assess transportation safety.

• Record URL:
  https://www.faa.gov/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/oamtechreports/2020s/media/202014.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/56998
• Corporate Authors:

  FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

  6500 S MacArthur Boulevard
  Oklahoma City, OK  United States  73125

  Federal Aviation Administration

  Office of Aerospace Medicine, 800 Independence Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20591
• Authors:
  • Cliburn, Kacey
  • Craft, Kristi
  • Hunn, Heather
  • Thompson, Kristi
  • Ritter, Roxane
  • Saenz, Sunday
  • Angier, Mike
  • Caldwell, Doug
  • Griffin, Ashley
  • Hickerson, Jeff
  • Hileman, Christy
  • Lewis, Russell
  • Soper, John
  • Williamson, Kelly
  • Kemp, Philip
• Publication Date: 2020-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 55p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air transportation crashes; Autopsies; Aviation safety; Blood carbon monoxide levels; Drugs; Forensic science; Toxicology
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01779050
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: DOT/FAA/AM-20/14
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 15 2021 6:07PM