James Wigmore

• Bachelor of Science
• Senior Forensic Toxicolgist at Centre of Forensic Sciences, Toronto, Canada (1976-2005)

Two case reports of the dilution by intravenous fluids of blood samples collected for medicolegal alcohol analysis are presented. The forensic significance of the findings is discussed.

Two hundred and thirty self-reported drinking scenarios from drinking-drivers charged with an impaired driving offence were examined. Estimated blood alcohol concentrations (eBAC) from drinking scenarios were calculated using standard forensic calculations (i.e. Widmark Formula) and compared to the lowest or first Intoxilyzer® 5000C results. Using...

A case report of a suicidal fall in which a postmortem blood sample collected from the victim was placed in a jar without preservative and a urine sample was placed in a tube containing at least 1% w/v sodium fluoride preservative. The samples were received at the Centre of Forensic Sciences nineteen days later. The ethanol concentration of the blo...

This article presents a review and appreciation of an article by Zink and Reinhardt (Z & R) dealing with the time-course of blood-alcohol curves and pharmacokinetic parameters in healthy men after they drank large amounts of alcohol under controlled real-world conditions. Here we present a reappraisal of this published study to highlight certain as...

After consuming lunch, twenty-six male subjects ingested alcohol ad libitum over approximately one hour. At least 1.5 hours after drinking ceased, the subjects provided breath samples into a Breathalyzer® Model 900 or 900A. Immediately after providing the breath samples, blood was collected from the cubital vein using a sterile disposable plastic s...

Nicotine is one of our most toxic poisons that is readily available in corner stores, groceries and gas stations. As little as 60 mg of nicotine can cause death, yet it seems to be ignored by forensic laboratories and investigating agencies, due in part to the minimizing of nicotine's toxicity by large international tobacco firms. On social media n...

This presentation compared the effect of alcohol or cannabis (THC) on driving. Both drugs exert a mainly depressant effect on driving abilities. Breath testing is the major detection technique conducted by police for alcohol, whereas SFST, DRE, oral fluid and blood testing are required for cannabis. Alcohol associated collisions tend to occur on we...

This one hour lecture was presented at the North York Central Library. Nicotine is a highly addictive pesticide, poison and neurotoxin, which Big Tobacco still pushes in the form of vapes and pouches in addition to cigarettes. Chemicals added to cigarettes and e-liquids are generally recognized as safe by the FDA, but only for oral consumption and...

After 13 more years of research the second edition of my book about the forensic, and medicolegal aspects has finally been published. The numbers of studies cited has increased by more than 50% from 711 to over 1,100. New sections and chapters have been included as well as insightful and pithy comments about alcohol and society from Albert Einstein...

It has been almost 6 years since recreational cannabis was legalized in Canada. This presentation provides updates to the newer methods of cannabis use, CBD oils, edibles and vaping. the difference between hemp and marijuana and CBD and THC are compared. The risks of vaping cannabis are explained. Unregulated cannabis e-cigarettes have resulted in...

This presentation compares the impairing effects of alcohol to that of THC to determine which drug is the most risky for driving. The criminal code limit for alcohol in Canada is 80 mg/100mL compared to 2 to 5 ng/mL for THC. SFST, DRE and oral fluid tests are used to determine the presence of THC in the driving. Breath tests are conducted to determ...

A short history of carbon monoxide is present. CO is the second most common interstellar gas molecule, second only to hydrogen. It is of great interest not only to astronomers but toxicologists as well. CO is an invisible and silent killer and has bedeviled humanity ever since fire was invented. Catalytic converters in cars and the replacement of h...

This article presents a more detailed historical and toxicological description of carbon monoxide. "Carbon monoxide has been an ancient enemy of humans for thousands of years, causing undetected deaths and chronic illnesses. Its role in our history and development of superstition and persecution of witchcraft has been underrated. CO has affected th...

This presentation compared the history and hazards of cigarettes and vaping. Nicotine is a highly toxic and addictive neurotoxin which was used as a pesticide until is was banned. Vaping is associated with EVALI and popcorn lung disease and is definitely not 95% safer than cigarettes. JUUL was able to increase the nicotine uptake and addiction by a...

This presentation was a continuation of my library forensic toxicology lecture series. This lecture was presented in recognition of the 5th year of the legalization of cannabis in Canada. Legalization has caused a dramatic decrease in criminal drug charges, and many other benefits such as the ability to conduct research on this drug legally, sold i...

This commentary is about comparing THC to alcohol. THC is more like an alcohol than a narcotic or schedule I drug under the US Controlled Substance Act. The Prohibitions of both alcohol and cannabis were lifted in part due to the alleged medical benefits of both drugs. It has been 5 years since cannabis has been legalized in Canada and few negative...

This workshop was presented at the AGM of the Canadian Society of Forensic Science at Ontario Tech University on June 20th, 2023. It provided a historical/legal overview of the changes to breath alcohol testing in Canada over 7 decades. From the Golden Age of Drunk Driving to the Over 80 laws, the 2 beer defence and mandatory roadside breath alcoho...

After the completion of my trilogy on the forensic toxicology of alcohol, THC and nicotine, I decided to present a public lecture on the comparison of these three common drugs. Which one is the most toxic? Which is the most addictive? and Which one causes the most harm. I also discuss the history of the drugs and how the prohibition against alcohol...

This is the third book in the trilogy of the forensic and medicolegal aspects of alcohol, cannabis and now nicotine. This book maintains the same high standards and superb organization of the Wigmore On series. Of the 3 legal drugs, nicotine is the most toxic, poisonous, and addictive. Nicotine is banned as a pesticide as it is too toxic to the eco...

Cannabis 2.0 is an update on the issues and problems after 4 years of legalization of cannabis in Canada and 3 years of edible cannabis legalization. The main problem according to the public is that there are too many cannabis stores. But in some ways it is a good sign as cannabis is now being sold at legal stores which pay taxes and employees and...

This presentation is about the 2 most common drugs that a legal nurse consultant will face, alcohol and THC. The basic medicolegal aspects of these 2 drugs is discussed including the differences between CBD and THC. Recommendations on how to deliver courtroom testimony are suggested, including the LUCAS approach, and Wigmore's Rule. A interesting p...

This webinar was sponsored by Laura Stack and Johnny's Ambassadors and presents a short history of cannabis and cannabis edibles, including the Alice B Toklas Hash Brownies. The different problems of edibles especially in children and adolescents are discussed. Overdosing with edibles occur frequent in novice users and typically result in cannabis...

This presentation on the second anniversary of the legalization of cannabis in Canada on October 17th, 2018, provided an update as to the progress of its effects on public health and safety. Potential problems with edible cannabis are discussed. Cannabis legalization so far has been more reefer mildness than madness. with a decrease of cannabis use...

Mandatory alcohol screening of all drivers stopped by the police has been enacted recently in Canada. Mandatory alcohol screening allows for a more effective detection of drinking drivers and their immediate removal from the roads and will be expected to increase traffic safety and enforcement.

The Breathalyzer Shock: Who Won Turner's Bet?

This is a short review of the status of the new legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada. The various cannabis laws that have been enacted for public safety such as advertising restrictions and impaired driving are discussed.

My continuing Youtube series on the forensic aspects of alcohol, nicotine or THC discusses the health risks of vaping, such as nicotine, flavorings, propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, and battery explosions. JUUL first introduced its high concentration nicotine e-liquids, which cause greater addiction in youth. There are now over 1,000 differ...

The tobacco companies have promoted the use of cigarettes containing our most addictive legal drug- nicotine. According to the United States v. Phillip Morris, the tobacco companies have "falsely denied, distorted or minimize the significant adverse consequences of smoking for decades", and " have intentionally marketed to young people under the th...

In this presentation I discuss if significant amounts of alcohol can be absorbed through the lungs, enough to cause an elevated blood alcohol concentration. Inhalation of ethanol has been studied previously in regards to if significant BACs can be obtained from inhaling this solvent from paints or glues. I also examine whether alcohol can be vape,...

Nicotine can be absorbed readily through the skin and cause Green Tobacco Syndrome. It is also absorbed via a patch as a smoking cessation aid. But can alcohol be absorbed through the skin as well and cause a false high Breathalyzer test? I examine a case report of a US congressman who stated that his frequent use of an alcohol based hand sanitizer...

Cannabis like any other drug has contraindications or groups of people whose use of the drug is to be avoided. The College of Family Physicians of Canada recommends that, inter alia, persons who are younger than 25 years of age, have cardiovascular disease or a strong family history of psychosis could not use marijuana.

This presentation is about the effects of alcohol in increasing the risk of hypothermia. It also discusses paradoxical undressing and terminal burrowing that occurs in some hypothermia victims.

This presentation is based on my experiences gained in testifying in over 700 criminal cases as an expert witness. Cross examination has been described by the famous American legal scholar (John Henry Wigmore), as "the greatest legal engine ever invented for the discovery of truth", and is typically the most challenging part of a criminal trial. I...

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has developed "Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines: A Comprehensive Update of Evidence and Recommendation" especially in regard to the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada. Some of the recommendations are to delay the age of starting the use of this drug, start low and go slow, and limit use to o...

Nicotine is our most addictive and dangerous legal drug. Vaping has been promulgated as a way to inhale nicotine without the toxic effects of cigarette smoking. However, e-liquids which are used for vaping typically contain numerous chemical flavorings whose toxicity via inhalation have not been tested. Flavorings make vaping easier and more addict...

Part 14 of my forensic toxicology lecture series is about the association of alcohol intoxication and fire deaths. Alcohol intoxicated victims tend not to attempt to escape from fires and are 3.3X as likely as sober victims to not have the escape blocked. The mean BAC of fire victims found near the exit was .088 and of victims found near the bed wa...

This is my first presentation about alcohol in my forensic toxicology series. Some drivers are arrested at BACs greater than .350 which would be considered lethal in the average drinker. Amy Winehouse the famous singer died at a young age due to alcohol poisoning at a BAC of .416. I also discuss positional alcoholic asphyxia and aspiration of vomit...

This presentation is about 3 common issues about antemortem blood alcohol testing in court. The use of expired blood tubes, not refrigerating the blood sample and the use of alcohol swabs are discussed. This presentation 13 on my Odyssey on the forensic toxicology of cannabis and alcohol.

The golden age of drunk driving occurred in the US and Canada between 1950s and 1970s. Ineffective laws and no reliable testing for alcohol contributed to a devastating amount of deaths and injuries, and few drunk drivers going to jail. The full title of the presentation is "The Golden Age of Drinking Driving and the Breathalyzer Shock: Who Won Tur...

One of the most frequent questions I am asked is about about the reliability of postmortem BACs, usually from the relatives of a victim of accidental death. Unlike antemortem blood samples, postmortem blood samples are prone to putrefaction and false high BACs can occur. The value of subdural hematomas, urine and vitreous humor are presented.

This presentation poses the question of of what type of expert are you? Not pro-defense or pro-prosecution, or good or bad, but are you orientation to the courtroom and its workings or do you have no idea what is going on and don't care? Courtroom orientated experts accept cross-examination as a normal, routine procedure, whereas courtroom-unfamila...

As the BAC increases the risk of a fall increases, in addition there are more serious head injuries in intoxicated victims. Alcohol is a vasodilator and promotes orthostatic hypotension and micturation syncope which increases the risk of fall as well.

Part 9 in my forensic toxicology of cannabis and alcohol series on YouTube is a historical review of the first recorded English description of cannabis use in 1675, which is relevant for our time.

Part 10 of my continuing forensic toxicology series is about the legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada. It is now more likely to be charged with a cannabis-related offence now than before legalization.

Part 11 of my ongoing forensic toxicology series on YouTube discusses Cannabis Use Disorder and Cannabis Withdrawal Symptoms.

Part 8 in my series of lectures filmed at ThatChannel, is a discussion of how the original Alice B. Toklas "Canibus Brownie" which was mildly intoxicated has been vamped into today's high intoxicating edibles with greater adverse reactions.

This presentation discusses the problems with synthetic cannabinoids, which are 10 to 100X as toxic as natural cannabis. SCs have caused deaths and an epidemic in prisons, as these drugs can be sprayed on a page of a book and be given to a prisoner.

Doug Lucas wrote, "It is very impressive and will be of great help to not only the new experts, but also to those with great experience who may not have thought analytically about the process. I agree with your Wigmore Approach, which is a very important addition."

Part 5 in my Toronto Cannabis Lecture Series involves Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS), Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), and CWS (Cannabis Withdrawal Syndrome). Just because marijuana is now legal in Canada does not mean it is a safe drug. Long-term use can result in severe cyclical vomiting (CHS) and yes cannabis is addictive (CUD) and cause withdr...

This is part 1 of my lecture series which I have presented over 2 years at the Toronto Public Libraries due to the legalization of marijuana in Canada. It was filmed at ThatChannel and is available on YouTube. Part 1 compares the history of alcohol (the red one) vs cannabis (the green one).

Part 2 of my Toronto Cannabis Lectures is concerned with the problems of edible cannabis compared with toking. Edibles cause more marijuana overdoses and psychosis than smoking due to its delay in effect (up to 2 hours) and production of a high concentration of the active metabolite 11-OH-THC. This lecture was filmed at ThatChannel and is available...

This third presentation in my Toronto Cannabis Lecture Series is about cannabis-impaired driving. It compares the impairment of driving ability by alcohol to that of cannabis and discusses DRE, SFST, and oral fluid testing. It was taped in the studios of ThatChannel and is available on YouTube.

Part 4 of my Toronto Library Cannabis Lecture series concerns the more dangerous types of marijuana such as highly potent( high THC) dabs, and butane hash oil (BHO). Blunts, which are inexpensive cigars in which the tobacco has been replaced with cannabis can also cause greater addiction. Synthetic cannabinoids such as Spice and Black Mamba, which...

Wigmore on Cannabis is the companion volume to the much acclaimed Wigmore on Alcohol. It is an indispensable and definitive source book for medical and legal practitioners seeking relevant information about cannabis. I have abstracted, categorized and edited nearly 600 human studies on marijuana and produced a practical and highly comprehensible bo...

A comparison was conducted of medicolegal aspects of alcohol in Canada and China. China has a more serious alcohol problem than Canada in part due to the lack of restrictions and public health policies to minimize alcohol harms. In China alcohol is available 24/7 and any age restrictions are commonly ignored. I also showed a slide of the Memorial...

This presentation covered the history of cannabis, its production, the effects of THC, the problems with edible cannabis and its cardiovascular effects. A comparison was made between the drug ethanol and THC as both were initially under prohibition and alleged medical uses allowed use during this period of time. Special thanks to Dr. Ken Obenson fo...

This historic Supreme Court of Canada decision upheld the accuracy of breath alcohol testing and dismissed the "two beer" or "Carter" defense. It was a great honor to be cited 4 times in the SCC decision. The SCC also cited the work of several of my colleagues at the Centre of Forensic Sciences as well.

A extensive (969 page) lawyers guide to the forensic sciences was edited by Caitlin Pakosh. I wrote a chapter on the Forensic Toxicology of Alcohol and Drugs, with Dr. James Watterman of Laurentian University. Our chapter explained the history of forensic toxicology, the accuracy of breath alcohol tests and major methods of analyses, and blood alco...

A historical, political and scientific review was conducted on alcohol and cannabis. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of alcohol and THC were compared. The lessons of countermeasures for alcohol-impaired driving were applied to cannabis-impaired driving.

A half-day workshop was presented at the 60th annual CSFS conference on the past, present and future of forensic breath and blood alcohol testing.

The review was presented at the 60th Annual CSFS Conference in Montreal. Factors which decrease the mouth alcohol effect include, pre-existing BAC, swallow rather than gargle alcohol, lower alcohol concentration of the liquid, increased salivary flow rate (such as chewing gum), talking rather than closed mouth and multiple breath samples. GERD and...

This paper was presented at the 60th Annual CSFS conference and explored the scientific, legal and political aspects of Canada’s 1969 Breathalyzer and .08 BAC laws. Justice Minister John Turner made a bet with ex PM Diefenbaker about whether the law would be ruled constitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada. Several of the issues raised in 1969 r...

The effects of ER treatment, putrefaction, diffusion, and embalming on postmortem alcohol concentrations. The most important samples that should be collected are peripheral blood and urine.

Alcopedia was to be an online encyclopedia of the forensic aspects of alcohol, which was not placed online as the pressures of other work and projects caused the project to be put aside. I thought that the printed copy of the Alcopedia which has over 170 entries would be of interest to forensic toxicologists and other who are interested in the hist...

The book is telescoped into the first week that the federal Breathalyzer and .08 law was enacted in Canada on December 1st, 1969. The law was highly controversial (which is hard to believe nowadays that people would actually be for drinking and driving!) and went to the Supreme Court of Canada, where it was ruled valid by a vote of 5 to 4, with Jus...

This abridge version of Wigmore on Alcohol contains all the studies cited in the unabridged edition but has all the detailed scientific discussion of the studies removed, which results in a book about one-half the number of pages as the original.

This presentation was a discussion on the best practice for alcohol testing in the workplace. I presented on the basic principle of absorption, distribution and elimination of alcohol, BAC back-calculations, and impairment at low BACs. I also explained the advantages of breath alcohol testing over blood and urine.

This is a report about the general principles of forensic alcohol toxicology including breath, blood and urine alcohol and its effect on human performance at low BACs. I present a model program on workplace alcohol testing.

Common scientific aspects of evidential breath alcohol testing in the US and Canada were presented, including evaluation and maintenance of EBTs, training of operators, duplicate breath testing and the mouth alcohol effect.

Breath alcohol testing offers significant advantages over blood alcohol testing. As a result, several million breath alcohol tests are conducted globally each year, mainly for the enforcement of drunk driving laws. The main types of breath alcohol testing instruments are passive alcohol sensors, screening devices, alcohol ignition interlock devices...

I reviewed the basic principles of breath and blood alcohol testing in drinking drivers for insurance adjusters in this presentation. How to convert a hospital alcohol result into the Canadian criminal code units. the effects of alcohol on driving ability and tolerance to alcohol were also covered.

The forensic toxicological aspects of my last big impaired driving causing death case involving former NHL Leaf Captain- Rob Ramage are described.

An encyclopedic work on forensic alcohol toxicology, which reviews 711 studies and is an indispensable tool for medical and legal practitioners. The absorption, distribution and elimination of alcohol; breath, blood, and postmortem alcohol; the effect of alcohol on driving and other behaviors are reviewed.

This commentary was in response to an article by MP Hlastala which exaggerated the variability of the blood/breath alcohol ratio by not taking into account, low BACs, mouth alcohol effect, BBR distribution is not normal, AV lag, and analytical variability.

This commentary was in response to an article by MP Hlastala which exaggerated the variability of the blood/breath alcohol ratio by not taking into account, low BACs, mouth alcohol effect, BBR distribution is not normal, AV lag, and analytical variability.

This report examines the effects of temperature and inhalation of external solvents on breath alcohol testing results and concludes that breath alcohol testing is scientifically reliable and valid.

The major studies showing an elevated breath alcohol concentration in human subjects were based on the unrealistic situation of immersing the subject up to the neck in a tub of hot water. In more realistic situations testing actual drinking drivers any elevation of breath alcohol concentration is infrequent and of low magnitude. Therefore in police...

A brief historical overview of breath alcohol testing in Canada between 1950 and 2010 was presented at an Alcohol Workshop of the CSFS.

This letter to the editor states that the dogma that there is a 6.5% increase in BrAC with each 1oC increase in body temperature only applies to in vitro studies and the increase in BrAC is much less in vivo studies. This effect does not lead to significantly false high breath resutls in drinking drivers.

This historical overview of breath alcohol technology examines the changes in breath alcohol detection from approximately 1930 onward. There have been tremendous changes in technology over this time period from slow, manually-operated, wet-chemical instruments like the Drunkometer or Breathalyzer to automatic rapid, computerized infrared (IR) instr...

This guest editorial was written by the joint editors of the special 40th anniversary of the Breathalyzer in Canada of the CSFS Journal.

This report was submitted to the BC Attorney General regarding the scientific validity and reliability of breath alcohol testing. It concludes that the "2 beer defense" is unreliable and has little scientific and legal merit.

The widespread use of hand sanitizers containing high alcohol concentrations (60-95% v/v ethanol) has resulted in a new defence against the charge of drinking and driving. It is commonly known as the Purell® defence, named after a popular hand sanitizer. In this type of defence it is alleged that the blood and breath alcohol concentrations detected...

This letter to the editor was regarding the oxidation of ethanol in RBCs even in blood preserved with 1% NaF. Thus plasma or serum alcohol concentrations are more stable than whole blood.

A comparison was conducted between the scientific accuracy and reliability of evidential breath alcohol testing instruments and the drinking driver's recollection of how much alcohol was consumed before driving. This article agrees with the statement by A.W. Jones that" The lower court justices seem to have chosen to ignore a golden rule in DUI lig...

Studies on the effect of alcohol on the ability to operate a motor vehicle (i.e. pharmacodynamics) are summarized into 4 main areas; laboratory studies, closed course studies, field studies and epidemiological studies (e.g. Borkenstein Grand Rapids Study).

The basic principles of portable fuel cell (electrochemical sensor) for roadside screening of drinking drivers are described. The ability of drivers to provide suitable breath samples and the mouth alcohol effect are discussed.

A forty-year-old man was involved in a motor vehicle collision at 8:30 p.m. He was taken for medical assessment at a nearby hospital. Blood samples were collected at 10:41 p.m. and an alcohol screen was conducted on the serum. The serum alcohol (ethanol) concentration was found to be 346 milligrams in 100 millilitres of serum (mg/100 mL). In additi...

A detailed overview of the scientific basis of breath alcohol testing which included precision, accuracy and specificity is presented. The mouth alcohol effect, blood breath alcohol ratio and a short history of breath testing in included.

The absorption, distribution and elimination of alcohol is discussed as applied to DUI/DWI cases. Some of the issues raised are retrograde extrapolation (back calculation), and bolus drinking. Practical BAC calculations and examples are described.

An extensive review of the issues and principles of blood alcohol testing was conducted including conversion of hospital results into a BAC, alcohol swabs and the preservation and storage of blood samples.

An annotated bibliography was published containing 47 studies (between 1968 and 2008) on the effect of alcohol on boating.

The pharmacokinetics of drinking drivers are described and applied to backcalculation or extrapolation of the driver’s BAC

This lecture was presented on the Borkenstein Course at Indiana University in Bloomington. It describes the evolution of my alcohol database from typed card files, to EndNotes, whichnow contains over 10,000 entries in both English and German. The application of the database to court is discussed as well as the LUCAS approach to expert testimony.