Dr. Sarah Kerrigan
forensic toxicology expert
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Forensic Toxicologist, Consultant, Expert  Witness
DWI, DUI, Postmortem Forensic Toxicology, Death Investigation, Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault, Dram Shop Cases, Medical Malpractice

Dr. Kerrigan received her initial training in forensic toxicology more than twenty-five years ago at the Scotland Yard Forensic Science Laboratory (Metropolitan Police Forensic Science Laboratory) in London, England. Between 2001 and 2004 she served as Bureau Chief for the New Mexico Department of Health, Scientific Laboratory Division where she was responsible for the blood and breath alcohol program in addition to forensic drug and alcohol related medical examiner and criminal casework statewide. Prior to this she worked for the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Forensic Services in Sacramento, CA as a forensic toxicologist. Between 2009 and 2012 she served as the Laboratory Director of the SHSU Regional Crime Laboratory, an independent, accredited forensic laboratory in The Woodlands, TX. Over a period of fifteen years Dr. Kerrigan has served as a forensic scientist, quality assurance manager, state and regional laboratory director in ASCLD-LAB, ABFT and ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories in the United States. 
 
Dr. Kerrigan served as President of the Society of Forensic Toxicologists (2011) and President of the California Association of Toxicologists (2004-2005). She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences where she currently serves on the Executive Board. Dr. Kerrigan has served on the Texas Forensic Science Commission for more than a decade and is active in the area of forensic reform. She currently serves on the Forensic Science Standards Board of the Organization for Scientific Area Committees. Dr. Kerrigan is also a former Commissioner for the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission. 

Dr. Kerrigan is a respected author and researcher in the area of forensic toxicology. She is the co-editor of Principles of Forensic Toxicology, and has been a contributing author in numerous forensic science textbooks including the Encyclopedia of Forensic Science, Encyclopedia of Forensic and Legal Medicine, Medical-Legal Aspects of Abused Substances, Forensic Nursing, Clarke’s Analysis of Drugs and Poisons, among others.

She has published numerous scientific articles in peer reviewed scientific journals on a wide range of topics including impaired driving, drug overdose, forensic alcohol determination and interpretation, designers drugs/new psychoactive substances, opioids, psychedelics, GHB, prescription drugs, and more. She has served on numerous editorial advisory boards including the Journal of Analytical Toxicology, Forensic Toxicology, and the Journal of Forensic Sciences (as Associate Editor). Dr. Kerrigan served on the faculty of the National Judicial College in Reno, NV for almost five years and has worked closely with attorneys and the judiciary on forensic issues throughout her career.

In 2018 Dr. Kerrigan received the Roll N. Harger Award from the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in recognition of her contributions to forensic toxicology and the advancement of the profession.


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