Forensic Chemistry

The Forensic Chemistry Unit

• acts as the national expert body in forensic toxicology, forensic genetics and doping control
• participates in research and development activities in the field.

The Forensic Toxicology Team

• performs laboratory tests and provides expert statements in the fields of forensic toxicology and alcohol and drug testing 
• assesses and develops practices and methods for alcohol and drug testing 
• studies the use and prevalence of alcohol, drugs and new designer drugs by using modern analytical methods 
• functions as a reference laboratory and disseminates information on the use of alcohol and drugs both nationally and internationally 
• acts as the national expert body in matters relating to forensic toxicology. 

Read more about THL’s substance abuse testing services (in Finnish)

The Forensic Genetics Team

• performs statutory forensic genetic paternity tests on request by child supervisors and as ordered by a court of law
• performs statutory forensic genetic family-tie studies
• performs forensic genetic paternity, near kinship and identity tests on request by private individuals
• provides the above-mentioned DNA studies as a chargeable service using the accredited methods
• acts as the national expert body in matters relating to forensic genetics.

Read more about forensic genetic paternity tests (in Finnish) 

Doping Control Laboratory 

• engages in cooperation with antidoping organisations and international sports organisations to promote clean and fair sport
• analyses doping samples and develops new analytical methods for the purpose of doping testing
• takes part in research related to doping analytics
• is a WADA-accredited doping control laboratory and part of a global network of anti-doping laboratories.

Contact details

Marjo Avela
Head of Unit
tel. +358 29 524 8723
E-mail: [email protected]

Postal address
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)
Forensic Chemistry Unit
P.O. Box 30
FI-00271 Helsinki, Finland