[The cooperation system for drug analysis by computer network]

Generally, the drugs are analyzed by the forensic medicine department in the most of autopsy cases. The forensic medicine department cannot always perform toxicological analysis because a shortage of a verified personnel, appropriate instruments, and financial resources. In order to overcome these difficulties and lack of resources, we developed a computer network called ml-poison. This network consists of the staff of forensic medicine, hospitals, governmental agencies and research facilities of police departments, etc. This network offers immediate and valuable information and expertise to these inexperienced in dealing with cases of poisoning. In cases in which the toxicological analysis cannot be performed in a facility, the network will recommend a facility where the analysis can be performed. Up this point, the network order system has assisted in many cases of poisoning. Although the effectiveness of the network for toxicological analysis has been proven, we still must deal with severed difficult problems: 1. The number of facilities assisting network orders is limited. 2. Who will pay the expenses involved in the analysis. 3. How to maintain security of the system. 4. What agency will assume responsibility for the management of the system.