Q&A with Expert Amanda Kogelschatz
Expert Insights on Drug and Alcohol Impairment, Dram Shop Claims, and Toxicology Evidence
Rimkus provides forensic toxicology consulting services to attorneys, insurers, and organizations involved in complex litigation and claims. Our forensic toxicologists serve as expert witnesses, supporting clients with independent toxicology analysis, blood alcohol calculations, and impairment assessments. We can deliver expert testimony in cases involving exposure, alcohol, drugs of abuse, therapeutic and emerging drugs, impairment, human performance, and dram shop matters.
In this Q&A, forensic toxicologist Amanda M. Kogelschatz shares how toxicology evidence is evaluated and applied in legal contexts. She explains how toxicologists interpret laboratory results, assess impairment, reconstruct drinking timelines, and support legal teams in understanding toxicology findings.
What does a forensic toxicologist do?
Toxicology is the study of the adverse effects of drugs or chemicals on a biological system. Forensic toxicology is the application of that science in matters related to the law. The role of a forensic toxicologist is to interpret what a drug or chemical does to the body and the inward and outward effects on an individual or system.
What area of toxicology do you specialize in?
One area I specialize in is the pharmacology and effects of alcohol and drugs, as they pertain to impairment, dose response, and human performance in medico-legal applications. I also specialize in dram shop cases and cases involving the estimation of blood alcohol concentrations at different points in time.
In drug or alcohol related incidents, what types of questions do you help answer?
I help clients understand the relevance of toxicology findings as they pertain to the law. The types of questions I answer relate to the validity of the toxicology results, any limitations of the testing, and what the results mean in relation to exposure, dose-response, and/or potential impairment. In cases related to alcohol, I perform alcohol calculations related to alcohol consumption, elimination, and blood alcohol concentration.
In a toxicology report, blood results and urine results often tell different stories. What are the differences and why does it matter?
When trying to determine potential effects and any impairment or dose-response, it is important to evaluate and understand the strengths and limitations of the matrix (blood, urine). Blood results reflect what is circulating in the bloodstream before the body has broken it down to be excreted. Urine results reflect what the body has processed and broken down before exiting the body. The interpretation, concentration, and detection windows tell very different stories.
In dram shop claims, how can you help determine whether alcohol service contributed to impairment or intoxication?
This is one of the most challenging types of questions for a toxicologist. Sometimes we can use the information available to determine the level of alcohol in a person’s system. We may also be able to determine the number of drinks in a person’s system at a point in time, which could help us understand the alcohol consumed.
Can a toxicologist help reconstruct a drinking timeline, and what information is needed to do that?
There are several ways to use information to reconstruct a drinking timeline. Some of the information that is helpful for our analysis is depositions, statements, video, toxicology reports, and police reports. Each case is different and we work with our client to understand if there is sufficient information available to complete the assessment and answer the question posed.
Even if there’s not a measured blood alcohol result, we can still help!
Is it possible to request a quick, preliminary review of toxicology findings before deciding whether to pursue a full analysis?
Absolutely! Our first step is to assess the findings and determine if there is enough information available to continue. If so, we can potentially provide the client with an early overview of strengths and weaknesses in the information to help them with decisions moving forward.
When should you retain a toxicologist in the litigation process?
We recommend hiring a toxicologist as soon as possible when a case involves alcohol, drugs, or chemicals. We can provide guidance on documents in the discovery process and also suggest information that should be gathered to help with the toxicology analysis.
How do you explain complex scientific concepts to judges, juries, and claims professionals in a clear way?
I utilize more than a decade’s worth of experience as a teacher in my role as an expert witness. The primary goal is to help the judge and jury understand how the toxicological information pertains to the case. I often use tables, graphs, or other visual aids to help portray these concepts and their impact to the case.
How do you decide if it is necessary to hire a forensic toxicologist?
Give us a call to discuss!
Meet the Consulting Expert®
Amanda Kogelschatz is board certified in Forensic Toxicology as a Diplomate by the American Board of Forensic Toxicology and has over 11 years of direct experience working within the toxicology field.
Her experience includes supervising in a state forensic laboratory, where she was integral in the assessment and interpretation of a diversity of clinical samples as well as maintaining chain of custody, adhering to proper laboratory compliance regulations, interpreting drug and alcohol results, and providing testimony in 9 trials.
As part of the Rimkus Toxicology and Food Safety practice group, Ms. Kogelschatz specializes in cases related to exposures, pharmacology of alcohol and drugs including drugs of abuse, pharmaceuticals, therapeutic, and emerging drugs, including questions related to impairment, alternative causation, increased risk, and dose response relationships.
Amanda M. Kogelschatz, M.S., D-ABFT-FT
Senior Toxicologist
+1 518 416 3870
[email protected]