Impairment Perspectives

In this episode of Impairment Perspectives, host Joey Jones, PhD sits down with Dick Studdard—a 30-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, retired captain, special deputy U.S. marshal, and widely recognized as the founder of the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) program. Recorded on location at Studdard's home in Prescott, Arizona, this conversation offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the foundational history of drug impairment detection in law enforcement. Key Discussion Highlights

In this episode of the Impairment Perspectives Podcast, host Joey Jones sits down with Dr. Karen Scott, Director of Forensic Toxicology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, for a conversation about forensic science education, toxicology, and the real-world challenges of preparing the next generation of professionals. Dr. Scott shares insights from her international career, her work in forensic training, and her passion for building practical skills in the lab and beyond.

In this episode of Impairment Perspectives, host Joey Jones talks with Nelly Mikhaltsevich, a Forensic Scientist III with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Services Bureau, about the complex and evolving world of cannabinoid testing in forensic toxicology. Nelly shares her journey from student aide to experienced forensic scientist, reflecting on nearly two decades in the crime lab and her growing expertise in cannabinoid analysis. The conversation explores the scientific challenges

In this episode of Impairment Perspectives, host Joey Jones sits down with forensic toxicologist Amanda D’Orazio of NMS Labs for a conversation about the evolving world of drug-impaired driving toxicology. Amanda shares her path into forensic toxicology, her work helping shape national DUID testing recommendations, and the importance of standardizing drug testing practices across laboratories. The discussion explores how consensus recommendations are developed, why evolving drug trends require

In this episode of the Impairment Perspectives Podcast, host Joey Jones talks with forensic toxicologist Donna Papsun of NMS Labs about emerging drug trends, novel psychoactive substances, and the public health role of forensic toxicology. Their conversation covers kratom, synthetic opioids, nitazenes, orphines, designer benzodiazepines, xylazine, lab funding challenges, real-time drug surveillance, and the importance of clear scientific communication. Donna also shares career advice, reflection

In this episode of Impairment Perspectives, host Joey Jones talks with David Zimmerman, Assistant Laboratory Director at the Kern Regional Crime Laboratory, about the science and practice behind forensic alcohol testing. David shares his path from chemistry teacher to forensic toxicologist, explains why headspace gas chromatography with flame ionization detection remains a reliable standard in the lab, and discusses troubleshooting, measurement uncertainty, courtroom communication, and the reali