The post-mortem toxicology service at University Hospitals Birmingham provides testing and specialist interpretation for HM Coroners and pathology providers across England and Wales.
We test post-mortem samples to identify drugs, alcohol and other toxic substances that may have contributed to a person's death. Our findings help support the Coroner's investigation.
We offer both comprehensive toxicology screening and targeted testing for a wide range of medicines, recreational drugs, alcohol and other substances. We use high-resolution mass spectrometry, which allows us to detect many prescribed, illicit and emerging substances, including novel psychoactive substances when needed.
Interpreting post-mortem toxicology results requires specialist knowledge. Drug levels can be affected by factors such as sample type, decomposition, underlying disease and changes that occur after death. Every case is reviewed by experienced forensic toxicologists and clinical scientists, who provide a report explaining the significance of the results.
We work closely with HM Coroners' officers, mortuaries and pathology providers to deliver a responsive and reliable service. We can also provide expert witness reports and attend Coroner's Court when required.
Our laboratory is accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to ISO 15189:2022 for the post-mortem toxicology services within our scope of accreditation. We continue to develop our screening methods to identify newly emerging drugs and substances.
What we provide
We provide:
- comprehensive toxicology screening of blood, urine and other post-mortem samples
- alcohol analysis of blood, urine and vitreous humour
- quantitative testing of prescription medicines and recreational drugs
- testing for novel psychoactive substances, synthetic cannabinoids and novel synthetic opioids when indicated
- carbon monoxide analysis
- testing for biochemical and immunological markers, including β-hydroxybutyrate, insulin and tryptase
- interpretation of results by a registered forensic toxicologist
- expert witness reports and court attendance when required
Samples we accept
Examples include:
- post-mortem blood
- ante-mortem blood, serum or plasma, where available
- post-mortem urine
- ante-mortem urine, where available
- vitreous humour
- gastric contents
- tissue samples, including liver, muscle and brain
- tablets, capsules and unidentified substances
Why choose our service?
Our team has:
- extensive experience providing post-mortem toxicology services for HM Coroners across England and Wales
- comprehensive screening using high-resolution mass spectrometry
- quantitative testing for a wide range of drugs and toxic substances
- specialist interpretation of toxicology findings
- flexible UKAS-accredited screening methods that can detect newly emerging substances
- close working relationships with pathologists and Coroners to provide meaningful interpretation of results
Contact us
To find out more about our service or discuss the analyses available please contact us.
General enquiries
Dr Alex Lawson, Consultant Toxicologist
Quality assurance and accreditation
The laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are part of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB). The laboratories are accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to the ISO 15189:2022 standard.
Accreditation information is available on the UKAS schedule of accreditation:
Some tests do not currently appear on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation and are outside the scope of accreditation. These tests are validated to the same high standards as accredited tests and are carried out by the same trained and competent staff.
For more information about individual tests, please visit the test database:
- [TEST DATABASE LINK]
For further information about quality assurance and accreditation please contact our Quality Manager.
- Louise Fallon, Quality Manager
- louise.fallon@uhb.nhs.uk
Data protection
Pathology Laboratory Services follows the Trust's data protection policies and procedures. These are in place to help the specialty and its staff meet data protection requirements and follow recognised best practice.
Announcement: Training and Development
For information on careers, training and education in Pathology, please see our Training and Development webpage.
Last reviewed: 14 September 2026