activities · 18
what they do
direct service · 5
- Administers membership and professional development programsOffers multiple membership categories to support individuals at all career stages, provides reduced registration rates for its Annual Meeting, operates a year-long Professional Mentoring Program, and issues Annual Awards to recognize contributions in research, teaching, mentoring, and service.
- Continuing Education Delivery Health Professional Continuing Education & ConferencesProvides continuing education through webinars, workshops, and scientific sessions at SOFT events, issues CE certificates via its Learning Management System (LMS), and supports certification and licensure requirements for members.
- Membership Support and Professional DevelopmentOffers multiple membership categories, a year-long Professional Mentoring Program, reduced meeting registration rates, and access to the Journal of Analytical Toxicology and ToxTalk newsletter to support career development for over 1,600 professionals in forensic toxicology.
- Provides continuing education and certification support Health Professional Continuing Education & ConferencesOffers a range of continuing education (CE) opportunities including CE credit for workshops and scientific sessions, CE certificates via its Learning Management System (LMS), and access to free or discounted CE webinars through its Learning Center to support certification and licensure requirements.
- Recognition and Awards Program Professional and Organizational Achievement AwardsRecognizes professional contributions through Annual Awards including the Research in Forensic Toxicology Award, Young Forensic Toxicologists Service Award, Teaching and Mentoring Award, and Distinguished Service Award.
advocacy · 3
- Advocacy and Policy Engagement Professional Workforce Advocacy in Clinical & Forensic TestingEngages in advocacy by providing forensic toxicology expertise to policy discussions, with representation in CFSO and active response to federal regulations such as the HHS attestation rule, including issuing requests for clarification and guidance.
- Advocating for Forensic Toxicology Interests Professional Workforce Advocacy in Clinical & Forensic TestingThe organization provides expertise in forensic toxicology to advocacy efforts, represents the interests of forensic toxicologists in policy discussions and legislative initiatives, and engages with government agencies on regulatory concerns impacting the field.
- Engages in policy advocacy and professional representation Professional Workforce Advocacy in Clinical & Forensic TestingRepresents the interests of forensic toxicologists in policy discussions through representation in organizations like CFSO, provides expert input on regulatory issues such as HHS attestation rules, and advocates for clarification and reform to protect access to critical health information for medical examiners and coroners.
capacity building · 10
- Annual Joint Meeting OrganizationOrganizes an annual joint meeting that brings together forensic toxicologists, laboratory directors, researchers, and decision-makers from over 60 countries, offering in-person and virtual continuing education opportunities, CE credits, and exhibit booth rentals for organizations.
- Establishing Professional StandardsThe organization adopted Guiding Principles of Professional Responsibility to be used in training, performance evaluations, disciplinary decisions, and other professional and management decisions by forensic toxicologists and laboratory personnel.
- Hosts international annual joint meetingOrganizes an annual joint meeting that brings together forensic toxicologists, laboratory directors, researchers, and decision-makers from over 60 countries, offering in-person and virtual continuing education opportunities, workshops, scientific sessions, and exhibit booths for sponsors and vendors.
- Organizing Annual Meetings and ConferencesThe organization hosts annual meetings and joint meetings that bring together forensic toxicologists, laboratory directors, researchers, and decision-makers from over 60 countries for collaboration, continuing education, and scientific sessions.
- Professional Standards and GovernanceAdopted Guiding Principles of Professional Responsibility for use in training and evaluations, and established formal governance through incorporation, charter, and tax-exempt status to guide the organization and its members.
- Providing Continuing Education and Professional Development Health Professional Continuing Education & ConferencesThe organization offers various continuing education opportunities, including webinars, workshops, and scientific sessions, and issues CE Certificates through its Learning Management System to support career development and maintain certification/licensure for forensic toxicology professionals.
- Publishing and Disseminating Information Medical Toxicology Research & PublishingThe organization provides online access to its official journal, the Journal of Analytical Toxicology (JAT), and publishes a quarterly newsletter, ToxTalk, to highlight news, research, and events in the field of forensic toxicology.
- Research and Education Funding Support for Pathology & Radiology TrainingAdministers Educational Research Awards (ERA) and Young Scientist Meeting Awards (YSMA) to support students and early-career scientists, and has historically funded education research and workshops as part of its mission.
- Supporting Members through Awards and MentorshipThe organization offers Educational Research Awards, Young Scientist Meeting Awards, and other annual awards to recognize achievements in forensic toxicology, and operates a year-long Professional Mentoring Program to foster professional growth and collaboration among its members.
- Supports research and education through awards and publications Travel Awards for Medical Toxicology ConferencesProvides Educational Research Awards (ERA) and Young Scientist Meeting Awards (YSMA) to students and early-career scientists, publishes the Journal of Analytical Toxicology (JAT) and the quarterly newsletter ToxTalk, and funds educational initiatives to advance knowledge in forensic toxicology.
strategies · 21
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Advancing the field through education and research professional development and research promotionStrengthens forensic toxicology as a discipline by promoting collaboration, education, professional development, and research, with the goal of improving justice and public health outcomes.
- Advancing the field through education, research, and collaboration professional development and research promotionAdvances forensic toxicology by promoting education, professional development, research, and collaboration to serve justice and public health, using organized professional engagement to strengthen the field’s scientific and practical foundations.
- Application of forensic toxicology in medico-legal and public safety contexts forensic toxicology applicationApplies toxicology, analytical chemistry, and pharmacology to detect and interpret drug and poison findings in biological specimens for use in death investigations, human performance cases, doping control, and workplace testing, with results directly informing legal and regulatory decisions.
- Application of forensic toxicology in medico-legal and public safety contexts forensic toxicology applicationApplies toxicological science to real-world legal and public safety issues—including death investigation, human performance, doping control, and workplace testing—by analyzing biological specimens to inform legal outcomes and protect public welfare.
- Application of forensic toxicology in medico-legal contexts forensic toxicology applicationUses toxicology, analytical chemistry, and pharmacology to detect and interpret drug findings in biological specimens for use in legal proceedings, supporting accurate death investigations, human performance assessments, doping control, and workplace testing.
- Building ethical practice and professional responsibility ethical guidanceFosters a culture of care and ethical behavior among members through guiding principles that shape conduct, accountability, and organizational values.
- Community building through informal professional engagement fostering community and goodwillFosters goodwill and collaboration among forensic toxicologists by maintaining an informal and inclusive organizational culture, strengthening professional bonds and knowledge sharing.
- Development and promotion of professional standards professional standards developmentEstablishes guiding principles and behavioral benchmarks for forensic toxicologists to support training, performance evaluation, disciplinary actions, and management decisions, ensuring high standards of practice and a harassment-free culture.
- Fostering community and collaboration among professionals fostering community and goodwillMaintains an informal and collaborative atmosphere to promote goodwill, understanding, and networking among forensic toxicologists, strengthening professional bonds and knowledge exchange.
- Fostering community and informal collaboration among professionals fostering community and goodwillMaintains an informal and collaborative atmosphere to promote goodwill, mutual understanding, and strong professional relationships among forensic toxicologists, enhancing knowledge exchange and field cohesion.
- International collaboration to expand reach international_collaborationUses joint international meetings as a mechanism to increase global visibility and engagement for exhibitors and sponsors, thereby expanding the organization's international footprint and influence in forensic toxicology.
- International collaboration to expand reach international_collaborationUses joint international meetings as a mechanism to increase global visibility and engagement for exhibitors, sponsors, and the organization, thereby strengthening the international footprint of forensic toxicology.
- International collaboration to expand reach international_collaborationUses joint international meetings as a mechanism to increase global visibility and engagement for exhibitors, sponsors, and the forensic toxicology community, thereby expanding the organization's influence and networking opportunities.
- Membership sponsorship and tiered structure to support professional inclusion membership sponsorship,tiered membership structureUses a sponsorship model combined with a tiered membership structure to support entry at various career stages, ensuring professional development pathways and broad inclusion within forensic toxicology while maintaining standards through peer-supported applications.
- Membership sponsorship model to support professional entry membership sponsorshipEnables new applicants to enter the field through sponsorship by existing members or academic advisors, lowering barriers to entry while maintaining professional standards across membership types.
- Membership sponsorship model to support professional entry membership sponsorshipEnables new applicants to enter the field through sponsorship by existing members or academic advisors, lowering barriers to entry while maintaining professional accountability and mentorship pathways.
- Professional development and research promotion through collaboration professional development and research promotionAdvances the field by fostering education, research, networking, and collaboration among professionals, ensuring ongoing innovation and knowledgeable contributions to justice and public health.
- Professional standards and ethical guidance development ethical guidanceEstablishes and promotes high standards of professional conduct and ethical behavior through guiding principles that support training, performance evaluation, disciplinary actions, and organizational culture, ensuring accountability and integrity in forensic toxicology practice.
- Professional standards and ethical guidance to ensure accountability professional standards development,ethical guidanceDevelops and promotes professional standards, ethical behavior, and guiding principles to support training, performance evaluation, disciplinary actions, and a harassment-free culture, ensuring accountability and integrity in forensic toxicology practice.
- Tiered membership structure to support career progression tiered membership structureOffers differentiated membership categories with tailored eligibility, benefits, and sponsorship rules to serve forensic toxicologists at various career stages, enhancing inclusivity and professional development.
- Tiered membership structure to support career progression tiered membership structureOffers distinct membership categories with tailored eligibility, benefits, and sponsorship rules to serve forensic toxicologists at different professional levels and career stages, enhancing inclusivity and professional development pathways.
named programs · 3
what they call their work
Annual Meeting
Hosts an annual meeting for members to present research, participate in workshops, and network with peers.
Continuing Education
Offers discounted or free webinars and in-person training opportunities for professional development in forensic toxicology.
Professional Mentoring Program
Facilitates mentorship opportunities for members to foster professional growth and collaboration.
relationships · 14
who they work with
- AACC Partner — Certificates obtained before 2023 are stored in the AACC account.
- ASCLD/LAB Partner — Guiding Principles of Professional Responsibility are based upon ASCLD/LAB's principles, which were disseminated to SOFT for comment prior to adoption.
- American Academy of Forensic Sciences Partner — Informal gatherings of toxicologists were held between their annual meetings.
- American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Network — Member of the Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations (CFSO).
- American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) Network — Member of the Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations (CFSO).
- Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations (CFSO) Coalition — Member organization of CFSO, providing expertise in forensic toxicology and contributing to advocacy efforts.
- Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) Partner — FEPAC offers a list of accredited undergraduate and graduate forensic programs for those interested in a career in forensic toxicology.
- Health and Human Services (HHS) Government — Engages with HHS regarding concerns about a new rule requiring medical examiners and coroners to sign an attestation for access to protected health information.
- Hilton Chicago Partner — Host hotel for the SOFT-TIAFT 2026 conference, providing a room block for attendees.
- International Association for Identification (IAI) Network — Member of the Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations (CFSO).
- International Association of Coroners & Medical Examiners (IACME) Network — Member of the Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations (CFSO).
- Journal of Analytical Toxicology (JAT) Partner — Official journal of SOFT
- National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) Network — Member of the Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations (CFSO).
- TIAFT Partner — Co-hosts the 2026 joint meeting with TIAFT to expand international participation.