In partnership with:

Overview

Created in partnership with The Center for Forensic Science Research & Education (CFSRE), Day 2 of the 2026 ACMT Seminar in Forensic Toxicology shifts the focus to the laboratory, addressing the latest challenges in toxicology testing, interpretation, and application in forensic contexts.

Highlights include:

• Timely Principles of Analytical and Forensic Toxicology – Review the foundations of toxicology testing, its limitations, and critical preanalytical factors.

• Illicit Opioids & Stimulants – Understand current drug trends, specialized testing protocols, and the role of toxicology in determining cause of death.

• Quantitative Blood Concentrations in Polydrug Overdoses – Explore interpretation challenges in today’s complex clinical and forensic cases.

• Supratherapeutic Dosing of Therapeutic Drugs – Examine forensic cases involving substances such as benzonatate, tianeptine, and loperamide.

• Western Use of Kratom & Associated Challenges – Gain insights into detection, analysis, and interpretation pitfalls.

• Interpretative Value of Alpha-2 Agonists – Learn about the forensic significance of xylazine, medetomidine, and related substances.

• Alternative Matrices – Discover the potential and pitfalls of testing non-traditional samples, from breast milk to beyond.

• Case Panels on Unexpected Tests – Apply your knowledge to unique and challenging real-world scenarios.

With faculty expertise, case-driven discussions, and updates on emerging substances, this session will enhance your ability to interpret complex toxicology results and provide clear, defensible conclusions in forensic contexts.

Continuing Education

Live and Enduring continuing education credits for Physicians and Pharmacists is provided by AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare. It is expected that learners will receive up to 6.50 credits for learning and change.

Target Audience

This seminar is designed for forensic toxicologists, clinical toxicologists, physicians, pharmacists, laboratorians, medical examiners, coroners, attorneys, and trainees who want to enhance their skills in toxicology testimony and evidence interpretation.

Learner Objectives

By the end of Day 2, participants will be able to:

1. Identify strengths and limitations of toxicology testing and interpretation methods.
2. Discuss challenges in interpreting results for complex and emerging substances.

Agenda | January 21, 2026

9:45 - 10:00 AM ET | Opening Remarks

10:00 - 10:30 AM ET
Timely Principles of Analytical and Forensic Toxicology
Luke Rodda, PhD, Chief Forensic Toxicologist and Director, Forensic Laboratory Division, Asst. Adj. Professor, Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco

10:30 - 11:00 AM ET
Timely Principles of Medicolegal Death Investigations

11:00 - 11:45 AM ET
Current state of Illicit Opioids & Stimulants
Alex Krotulski, PhD, Associate Director of Toxicology & Chemistry, The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education, Willow Grove, PA

11:45 - 12:15 PM ET | Break - 30 min

12:15 - 1:00 PM ET
Case Panel on Opioids and Stimulants

1:00 - 1:45 PM ET
Using Quantitative Blood Concentrations to Determine cause of non-fatal overdoses in polydrug world
Paul Wax, MD, FACMT, Executive Director, American College of Medical Toxicology, Phoenix, AZ

1:45 - 2:15 PM ET
Supratherapeutic Dosing of Therapeutic Drugs and Adverse Effects
Karen S. Scott, PhD, F-ABFT, Director, Forensic Toxicology Laboratory; Medical Director, Hospital Toxicology Laboratory; Associate Professor, Laboratory Medicine

2:15 - 2:45 PM ET
Western Use of Kratom Products and Associated Challenges
Donna Papsun, MS, D-ABFT-FT, Forensic Toxicologist & Business Scientist, NMS Labs, Horsham, PA

2:45 - 3:15 PM ET | Break - 30 min

3:15 - 3:45 PM ET
Interpretative Value of Alpha-2 Agonists in Forensic Toxicology: Xylazine and Medetomidine
Kari Midthun, PhD, F-ABFT, Forensic Toxicologist, NMS Labs

3:45 - 4:30 PM ET
Alternative Matrices: Applications and Pitfalls
Gwendolyn A. McMillin, PhD, DABCC-CC, DABCC-TC, FADLM, Vice President of Clinical Scientific Engagement, NMS Labs, Horsham, PA
Jessica Kent, MD, Medical Toxicologist, Ontario Poison Centre, Investigating Coroner - Office of the Chief Coroner (Central West Region) Adjunct Assistant Professor - Clinician-Investigator, University of Toronto

4:30 - 5:30 PM ET
Case Panels on Unexpected Tests

Panel
Gwendolyn A. McMillin, PhD, DABCC-CC, DABCC-TC, FADLM, Vice President of Clinical Scientific Engagement, NMS Labs, Horsham, PA
Luke Rodda, PhD, Chief Forensic Toxicologist and Director, Forensic Laboratory Division, Asst. Adj. Professor, Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco

Moderator
Donna Papsun, MS, D-ABFT-FT, Forensic Toxicologist & Business Scientist, NMS Labs, Horsham, PA

Registration Rates

Registration includes:

• Access to the live virtual event on January 21, 2026

• Access to the on-demand recording for 90 days after event

• Access to the Speaker slides

• 6.50 Continuing Education Certificate. Available credits: Continuing Medical Education (CME) & Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE).

Member Rates

Non-Member Rates

Interested in becoming an ACMT Member? Contact our Membership Team at membership@acmt.net. Learn more at: www.acmt.net/membership

Package Rates

Sign up for the both days of the 2026 ACMT Seminar in Forensic Toxicology and save $50!

Purchase the package here!

Refunds and Cancellations

• Cancellations made 16 days or more in advance of the event date will receive a full refund less a 8% processing fee.
• Cancellations made within 15 days of the event date will not receive a refund.

All cancellation requests must be made in writing and emailed to: events@acmt.net. No telephone cancellations will be accepted. A refund that results from a cancellation or change to your registration will be returned to the original payer and in the original method of payment. 

Pending review, limited exceptions will be made based on need and circumstance (family emergency, for example) and must be submitted in writing to events@acmt.net. For these instances, the full registration fee, minus a 6% processing fee, will be refunded. Because each exception must undergo a review and approval process, we ask in advance for your patience.

Questions?

For any questions, please email us at events@acmt.net.

h3>Instructions

Once you have completed your registration:

1. Click on the Contents tab on the day of live event. This is where you will be able view the Zoom link for the course as well as all required components.
2. Watch live event. You can use the Zoom link in the Learning Center to leave and enter the webinar during event.
3. Complete the Event CE Survey. If you are completing CE, this survey is required.
4. Claim your CE certificate. Once you have claimed your CE credit, you will not be able to change your CE certificate.

Full credit can only be claimed after completion of all required components.

Hardware/Software Requirements

Computer or Other Internet-Enabled Device; Internet Connection; Browser. 

Materials

None. 

Prerequisites

None. 

Format

This event is a live Webinar.

Need Assistance or Have Questions?

For assistance logging in, accessing content, purchasing or completing Continuing Education credits, or for other questions, please contact us at events@acmt.net or visit our FAQ page.

If you are in need of accessible learning accommodations, please contact events@acmt.net for additional assistance.

Continuing Education

2026 ACMT Seminar in Forensic Toxicology | Day 2: In the Laboratory | Complexities in Testing and Interpretation
Please claim your continuing education credits within 30 days of the live event: January 21, 2026

CE credit provided by AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare. 

Criteria for Success
To obtain a certificate of completion, a score of 70% or better on the post-test is required. Please proceed with the activity until you have successfully completed this program, answered all test questions, completed the post-test and evaluation, and have received a digital copy of your certificate.  You must participate in the entire activity to receive credit. There is no fee to participate in this activity. If you have questions about this activity, please contact AKH Inc. at events@acmt.net. If you have questions about this CE activity, please contact AKH Inc at bethany@akhcme.com

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare and American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT). AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 6.50 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change. 

Physicians: AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Pharmacists: AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare designates this continuing education activity for 6.50 contact hours.