Forensic Chemistry

Head of Unit Marjo Avela

The Forensic Chemistry unit

  • Acts as a national expert centre in forensic toxicology, forensic genetics and doping analysis.
  • Participates in research and development in its field.
  • Operates actively in international networks and is responsible for national information dissemination.
  • Is accredited according to the SFS-EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard.

The unit is divided into three teams.

Forensic Toxicology

Team Manager Teemu Gunnar

  • Performs forensic toxicological and substance testing laboratory analyses and prepares expert statements for the police, forensic pathologists, prison authorities, prosecutors, healthcare and substance abuse treatment units, child protection authorities and reform schools.
  • Evaluates and develops practices and methods in substance testing.
  • Studies the use and prevalence of substances and new psychoactive substances using modern analytical methods.
  • Disseminates information on drug use nationally and internationally and actively participates in international cooperation.
  • Acts as Finland’s contact laboratory and reference laboratory for the European Union Drugs Agency.

Forensic Genetics

Team Manager Marjo Avela

  • Carries out statutory forensic genetic analyses to verify biological parentage or other close biological kinship at the request of child welfare authorities, by court order, and at the request of the Finnish Immigration Service as the only provider in Finland.
  • Conducts parentage, kinship and identity tests at the request of private individuals.
  • Participates in the identification of deceased persons at the request of the police and the Association for Cherishing the Memory of War Dead.
  • Provides the above-mentioned analyses as fee-based services.

Doping Control Laboratory

Team Manager Tina Suominen

  • Operates as Finland’s only doping control laboratory and is one of approximately 30 laboratories accredited by WADA.
  • Functions as part of the global network of anti-doping laboratories.
  • Cooperates with anti-doping organisations and international sports organisations to promote clean and fair sport.
  • Its main partner is the Finnish Center for Integrity in Sports (FINCIS). Other clients include testing organisations, sample collection organisations and event organisers.

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