Victoria Jenkins BSc (Hons) CBiol MSB MCSFS MEWI
Forensic Pharmacologist and Toxicologist since 1997
With a first class degree in Pharmacology and Toxicology and 26 years’ experience in forensic toxicology, Victoria Jenkins is a highly experienced and renowned forensic toxicologist.
Victoria Jenkins
Forensic Toxicology
- Drink-driving offences, including alcohol back-calculations and technical defences;
- Driving whilst unfit through drugs;
- Drug effects and interactions;
- Effects of alcohol at different levels;
- Effects and interactions of medications;
- Toxicological aspects in a whole scope of cases, including criminal cases (ranging from drink-driving offences to assaults, rapes and murders), insurance matters and medical negligence issues.
1995-1997: Hospital Contracts Team. The post required good working knowledge of pharmaceutical drugs, coupled with good oral and written communication skills.
1997-1999: Joined as a trainee scientist in the field of Toxicology, where she received training in the laboratory skills necessary for the post from two existing members of staff who between them had almost 70 years of forensic experience in the drug field. Underwent detailed training in vital laboratory skills and attended the Department of Forensic Medicine and Science in Glasgow to further her knowledge and to strengthen her expertise. Victoria also attended additional courses in the written and oral presentation of forensic evidence. Victoria was involved in numerous cases involving drugs and/or alcohol and gave evidence in magistrates and crown courts.
1999 – 2002: Scientific Lead of a Drug and Toxicology Department. Obtained the additional qualifications of Chartered Biologist (CBiol) and Member of the Society of Biology (MSB) and continued to provide reports relating to drugs and alcohol.
Victora is also trained in the use of the Camic Datamaster and Lion Intoxilyzer 6000UK breath testing machines.
Victoria has given evidence in all levels of court, including at the Royal Courts of Justice in London and Jersey and the High Courts in Glasgow and have attended a case conference at the Old Bailey. She has also given evidence at Coroners’ Inquests.
In 2005, Victoria became a Registered Forensic Practitioner in the field of Toxicology. The majority of the work she has been involved in focuses on the effects of alcohol and/or drugs on individuals at the time that they were driving or committing an offence.
Victora has acted as a Single Joint Expert in many cases and have also provided reports for insurance companies in relation to personal injury cases at home and at work and road traffic accidents.
She has also prepared several reports in medical negligence cases where prescription errors have occurred and have also been involved in drug testing issues (involving blood, urine and hair samples) in child custody cases, drug facilitated sexual assaults and amongst prison inmates.
Member of the Royal Society of Biology (MRSB)
Chartered Biologist (CBiol)
Registered Forensic Practitioner (RFP)
Professional member of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (MCSFS)
Association for Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) Approved Expert
Member of the Expert Witness Institute (MEWI)