CURRICULUM VITAE of Dr MICHAEL ROBERTSON, Ph.D. (Med) (MTIAFT, MSOFT, MFACTA, MANZFSS)

Consulting Pharmacologist, Forensic Toxicologist and Chemist

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

            INDEPENDENT FORENSIC CONSULTING, Australia

            2001 – Director and Senior Consultant

Dr Robertson is a pharmacologist; forensic toxicologist and chemist with more than 30 years of professional experience. He routinely evaluates and provides opinions on all aspects of drug testing and result interpretation; aspects of drug manufacture; effects of drugs including alcohol on human performance including driving and workplace accidents etc.; the role of drugs in deaths and significant injuries; investigation of human poisonings and chemical exposures and interpretation of drug use in the workplace.

He has performed research in the field of pharmacology and toxicology including methods of drug testing; effects of drugs on humans; interpretation of drug testing results; evaluation of the safety and efficacy of drugs on humans including regulatory compliance. Dr Robertson has studied the effects of drugs and poisons on humans and animals including mechanism of action; desirable effects and non-desirable or adverse effects. Dr Robertson has evaluated matters of drug manufacture; supply and distribution including evaluating current or prior operation of clandestine laboratories; drug importation and possession matters.

Dr Robertson has assigned, supervised, performed, certified and interpreted hundreds of chemical and toxicological analyses for a range of clients including pathology and forensic laboratories, drug testing organisations, law enforcement, private individuals, pharmaceutical companies, regulatory agencies and legal professionals.

Dr Robertson has more than 15 years as an analyst and analytical chemist both performing analyses and supervising and managing laboratories.

Currently, the Director and Senior Consultant at Independent Forensic Consulting Pty Ltd (IFC), Dr Robertson provides independent advice and expert opinions in legal matters and routinely prepares expert reports and testifies throughout Australia and internationally in a range of medico-legal matters associated with:

• Criminal Law (including drug-facilitated sexual assault; DUI and DUID; cause or contribution to death; human performance and behaviour; poisonings; drug importation, possession, supply and manufacturing; and matters relating to the legal status of drugs including Synthetic Cannabis, Synthetic Stimulants and issues associated with analogue provisions);
• Family Law (including the interpretation of urine testing and results, hair testing and results; Liver Function Tests (LFT), Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin (CDT) and Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG) testing and result interpretation);
• Personal Injury, Medical Negligence, CTP, Insurance claims;
• Doping disputes and investigations including professional athletes (ASADA; WADA) and Steward enquiries involving the racing industry (jockeys, riders, racehorses, harness racing or greyhounds);
• Workplace Accidents (involving the cause and contribution of drugs and alcohol to an incident); together with matters including exposure to chemicals and other poisons;
• Workplace Disputes (including the interpretation of urine, oral fluid and/or hair test results and compliance with acceptable drug testing procedures).

Dr. Robertson, a member of many professional organisations, has authored more than a dozen peer-reviewed papers in recognised international journals and is an invited reviewer for the international journals Forensic Science International and Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology.

He routinely presents at national and international conferences and to Universities, professional and civic groups including law firms and Law Societies, Police, Prosecutors, Plaintiff and Defence lawyers.

2011 – Consulting Toxicologist to Industry and National Workplace Drug Testing Organisations

Dr Robertson provides independent advice to a range of national drug testing companies and other private, government and union organisations relating to issues that include:

• The strengths and weaknesses of urine and oral fluid testing strategies;
• Interpretation of laboratory results of blood, oral fluid, and urine drug findings;
• Evaluation and/or recommendation of urine, oral fluid, drug and alcohol testing regimes, policies and/or testing procedures to ensure compliance to AS/NZS 4308:2008 and/or AS/NZS 4760-2019.

Dr Robertson provides consultation and evaluates matters of forensic concern including:

• Disputed drug testing results;
• Compliance with procedures and Australian Standards;
• Workplace disputes and provision of testimony in Courts of Law and Fair Work Australia.

Dr Robertson provides expertise in all drug, chemical and alcohol-related matters including assessment of impairment; drug-use patterns; environmental and workplace exposure matters.

2011 – National Advisor for Workplace Drug & Alcohol Testing Programs

Dr Robertson is the immediate past current Chair of the Standards Australia committee (CH-039) evaluating the testing of drugs in oral fluid (AS/NZS 4760-2019).

Dr Robertson is the current Chair of the Standards Australia committee (CH-039) reviewing and updating the testing of drugs in urine (AS/NZS 4308:2008).

Provides independent expertise in compliant alcohol and drug testing policies and procedures including compliance to AS/NZS 4308:2008 and AS/NZS 4760-2019.

• Facilitates and provides advice on policy development together with the pros and cons of urine and oral fluid testing;
• Facilitates formal and informal negotiations relating to urine and oral fluid testing policies, procedures and compliance with the current Australian Standards.
• Provides education and awareness to private and public organisations on the strengths and weaknesses of different testing regimes i.e. urine vs. oral fluid.

            HOSPIRA (Faulding), Australia

            2002 – 2010  Senior Scientist and Laboratory Manager

Employed in a range of analytical and managerial functions, including the testing and evaluation of samples including liquid and solid dosage forms; raw materials and dispersions. Analysis included the testing and evaluation of purity, excipients and impurities profiles and utilised a range of analytical techniques such as liquid chromatography (LC); gas-chromatography (GC) with or without mass-spectrometry (MS) detection.

Managed, lead and supervised teams of scientists in the development, testing and reporting of drug testing results to internal and external stakeholders, clients and regulatory agencies.

            OFFICE of the MEDICAL EXAMINER, California, USA

            2000  Forensic Toxicology Laboratory Manager and Chief Toxicologist

Managed all laboratory functions including those of scientific, financial and personnel within the forensic toxicology laboratory. Assigned, supervised, performed and certified testing of biological specimens and exhibits for analytes of toxicological and investigational interest, especially in relation to matters of law. Analysis included the testing and evaluation of the identity and purity of drugs and utilised a range of analytical techniques such as liquid chromatography (LC); gas-chromatography (GC) with or without mass-spectrometry (MS); flame ionization detection (FID); nitrogen phosphorous detection (NPD); thin layer chromatography (TLC); ultra-violet (UV) and electrochemical detection (ECD) techniques; immunoassay screening (IA) among others. Ensured all forensic evaluations were conducted in accordance with relevant scientific and forensic guidelines and principles and industry best practices.

Provided oral and written reports and expert opinions to pathologists; law enforcement and other interested parties as to the validity and significance of analytical findings. Provided expert opinions on matters of toxicological relevance. Advised, consulted and where necessary participated with pathologists, management, local and state governments on issues regarding forensic toxicology, drug policy and legislation.

            NATIONAL MEDICAL SERVICES, INC., Pennsylvania, USA

            1996 – 2000  Forensic Toxicologist, Senior Scientist and Director of Expert Services

Employed in a range of analytical and managerial functions. Assigned, supervised, performed and certified testing of specimens for analytes of scientific and investigational interest, especially in relation to matters of law. Specimens included biological samples (e.g. blood, urine, hair etc.) together with seized drugs when required.

Analysis included the testing and evaluation of identity and purity and utilised a range of analytical techniques such as liquid chromatography (LC); gas-chromatography (GC) with or without mass-spectrometry (MS); flame ionization detection (FID); nitrogen phosphorous detection (NPD); atomic absorption (AA); inductively couple plasma (ICP); thin layer chromatography (TLC); ultra-violet (UV) and electrochemical detection (ECD) techniques; immunoassay screening among others.

Managed, lead and supervised teams of scientists, chemists and toxicologists in the development, testing and reporting of drug testing results to internal and external stakeholders, clients and regulatory agencies.

Assigned, supervised and certified drug and chemical testing in relation to matters of law. Ensured all testing met appropriate scientific and forensic standards. Provided oral and written results and expert opinions to Courts of law throughout the USA. Performed research in matters of pharmacological and toxicological concern for education, publication and presentation.

            VICTORIAN INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC MEDICINE (VIFM), Melbourne, Australia

            1991 – 1996  Forensic Scientist

Analysed samples for drugs and chemicals using state-of-the-art instrumentation.

Performed research and development in drug testing methods. Evaluated various sample types including biological and non-biological samples. Analysis included the testing and evaluation of samples for drug content; purity; impurity profiles utilising a range of analytical techniques such as liquid chromatography; gas-chromatography; flame ionization detection (FID); nitrogen phosphorous detection (NPD); atomic absorption (AA); ultra-violet and electrochemical detection techniques (ECD); immunoassay screening (IA) among others.

Performed research in the role of drugs and alcohol in motor vehicle crashes.

EDUCATION:  Post-Doctoral Fellow, Forensic Toxicology, National Medical Services Inc., Pennsylvania, USA

 Ph.D., Medicine (VIFM), Monash University, Melbourne, Australia     

B.Sc. (Hon), Pharmacology / Toxicology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

SCHOLARSHIPS and AWARDS:

• Postdoctoral Fellowship, National Medical Services Inc.
• Monash University Graduate Scholarship

INVITED LECTURESHIPS:                    

• Forensic Toxicology

Box Hill Institute, Melbourne, Australia

• Pharmacology / Forensic Toxicology

California State University, Los Angeles, California, USA

• Forensic Toxicology

National University, San Diego, California, USA

• Toxicology

Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES:

Member          The Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society (ANZFSS)

Member          The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT)

Member          Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT)

Member          Forensic and Clinical Toxicologists of Australia (FACTA)

Member          Society of Hair Testing (SoHT)

APPOINTMENTS and COMMITTEES:

• TIAFT Committee for Therapeutic / Toxic Drug Levels (2011 – present)
• Scientific Reviewer, Forensic Science International (2003 – present)
• Scientific Reviewer, Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology (2014 – present)
• Drugs and Driving Committee, Society of Forensic Toxicologists (2000 – 2004)
• Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault Committee, Society of Forensic Toxicologists (2000 – 2004)
• Scientific Advisory Board, Society of Forensic Toxicologists, Annual Meeting 2000, 2003, 2006,

2011

• FACTA Technical Working Group, Oral Fluid Testing (10/2014 – present)
• FACTA Committee for Hair testing (6/2021 – present)
• Chair: Standards Australia Oral Fluids Committee CH-039 (2014 – 2019)
• Chair: Standards Australia Urine Drug Testing Committee CH-039 (2019 – present).

BOOK CHAPTERS:

1. Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault – A Forensic Handbook. Lebeau and Mozayani eds. Academic Press, NY. Chapter 4; Rohypnol and other benzodiazepines. Robertson MD, Raymon L.
2. Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault – A Forensic Handbook. Lebeau and Mozayani eds. Academic Press, NY. Chapter 6; Hallucinogens. Raymon L, Robertson MD.

PUBLICATIONS (edited list; a full list can be provided upon request):

1. Robertson, MD and Staikos, V. Segmental Analysis of Hair in an Alleged Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault – The pros and cons of segmental analysis and why results are rarely black and white, TIAFT Bulletin, Vol. 41(3) pp.18-20, 2011.
2. Robertson, MD. Medical Misadventure: Steroid Induced Toxicity and Associated Psychosis – A Case Study, ToxTalk, Vol. 31(3) p. 9, 2007.
3. Drummer OH, Gerostamoulos J, Batziris H, Chu M, Caplehorn JR, Robertson MD, Swann P. The involvement of drugs in drivers of motor vehicles killed in Australian road traffic crashes, Accident Analysis and Prevention, Vol. 36(2) pp. 239-48, 2004.
4. Drummer OH, Gerostamoulos J, Batziris H, Chu M, Caplehorn JR, Robertson MD, Swann P. The incidence of drugs in drivers killed in Australian road traffic crashes, Forensic Science International, Vol. 143(2-3) pp. 154-62, 2003.
5. Robertson, MD, and Marinetti, LJ. Carisoprodol – Effects on Human Performance and Behaviour, Forensic Science Review, Vol. 15(1) pp. 1-9, 2003.
6. Robertson, MD, and McMullin, MM. Olanzapine Concentrations in Clinical Serum and Postmortem Blood Specimens – When does Therapeutic become Toxic, Journal of Forensic Sciences, Vol. 45(2) pp. 418-421, 2000.
7. Robertson, MD. Detection of Date Rape Compounds, Emergency Medicine News, Dec 2000. 
8. Robertson, MD. Mirtazepine Concentrations in Clinical Serum and Postmortem Whole Blood Specimens, American Academy of Forensic Sciences: News and Views, pp. 4-5, June 1999.
9. Robertson, MD. Detection of Lormetazepam in Hair Following a Sexual Assault, Society of Forensic Toxicologists: Tox Talk, Vol. 23(2), p. 4, 1999.
10. LeBeau, M, Andollo, W, Hearn, WL, Baselt, R, Cone, E, Finkle, B, Fraser, F, Jenkins, A, Mayer, J, Negrusz, A, Poklis, A, Raymon, L, Robertson, MD and Saady, J. Recommendations for the Toxicological Investigations of Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assaults, Journal of Forensic Sciences, Vol. 44(1) pp. 227-230, 1999.
11. Robertson, MD and Drummer, OH. Postmortem Distribution and Redistribution of Nitrobenzodiazepines in Man, Journal of Forensic Sciences, Vol. 43(1) pp. 9-13, 1998.
12. Robertson, MD and Drummer, OH. Stability of Nitrobenzodiazepines in Postmortem Blood, Journal of Forensic Sciences, Vol. 43(1) pp. 5-8, 1998.
13. Robertson, MD. Flunitrazepam: Does its absence mean it is not present?, Society of Forensic Toxicologists: Tox Talk, Vol. 20(3) p. 8, 1996.
14. Robertson, MD and Drummer, OH. Distribution and Redistribution of Nitrobenzodiazepines in Post-mortem tissues. Contributions to Forensic Toxicology, 1995.
15. Robertson, MD and Drummer, OH. A High Performance Liquid Chromatographic procedure for the measurement of Nitrobenzodiazepines and their 7-Amino metabolites in Blood, Journal of Chromatography, Vol. 667, pp. 179-184, 1995.
16. Robertson, MD and Drummer, OH. Post-Mortem Drug Metabolism by Bacteria, Journal of Forensic Sciences, Vol. 40(3) pp. 382-386, 1995.
17. Robertson, MD and Drummer, OH. Postmortem Bioconversion of Drugs. Contributions to Forensic Toxicology, 1994.
18. Robertson, MD and Drummer, OH. Responsibility Analysis: A Methodology to Study the Effects of Drugs in Driving, Accident Analysis and Prevention, Vol. 26(2) pp. 243-247, 1994.
19. Robertson, MD and Drummer, OH. A Performance Decrement Analysis to determine drug involvement in motor vehicle fatalities. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 1991.

ABSTRACTS and PRESENTATIONS (edited list; a full list can be provided upon request):

1. Workplace Drug Testing in Australia – The Australian Approach to Onsite Drug Testing. Robertson, MD.
2. The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists, August 2016. Brisbane, Australia.
3. Is synthetic cannabis legal in Australia……it depends! Where science and the law converge with some interesting results. Robertson, MD.
4. The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists, August 2016. Brisbane, Australia.
5. Case Report – Segmental Analysis of Hair in an Alleged Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault – The Pros and Cons of Segmental Analysis and why Results are rarely Black and White. Robertson MD and Staikos V.
6. Forensic and Clinical Toxicology Association, August 2011. Melbourne, Australia.
7. The Role of the Toxicologist. Robertson, MD.
   Australian Lawyers Alliance, June, 2007. Melbourne, Australia.
8. New Drink-Driving Defences, Culpable Driving Decisions and Forensic Consulting. Murphy B QC, Walsh-Buckley W, and Robertson, MD.
   Law Institute of Victoria, July, 2006. Melbourne, Australia.
9. A Death due to Inhalation of Nitrogen Trifluoride. Ng, PS, Vasallo, PO and Robertson, MD.
   Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT), October, 1999. Puerto Rico.
10. Endogenous Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) Concentrations in Clinical and Postmortem Blood, Urine and Serum Specimens. Robertson, MD.
    Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT), October, 1999. Puerto Rico.
11. A Fatal Interaction between Fluvoxamine and Thioridazine. Robertson, MD.
    Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT), October, 1999. Puerto Rico.
12. Death due to Mirtazapine (Remeron) Toxicity. Robertson, MD, Ng, PS and Gore, SB.
    Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT), October, 1999. Puerto Rico.
13. Detection of MDMA in Hair by LC/MS/MS. Dunn, WA and Robertson, MD.
    Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT), October, 1999. Puerto Rico.
14. Olanzapine concentrations in clinical serum and forensic blood specimens – When does therapeutic become toxic? Robertson, MD.
    Society of Forensic Toxicologists and The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists, October, 1998. Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.
15. Urine Adulteration: Why is this urine “Klear”? How much Klear is required to produce a failed GC/MS analysis for 9-carboxy-THC and opiates? Robertson, MD.
    Society of Forensic Toxicologists and The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists, October, 1998. Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.
16. Deaths Involving Flunitrazepam: An Australian Experience, Robertson, MD.
    Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT), October, 1996. Denver, Colorado, USA.
17. Stability of Nitrobenzodiazepines in Post-Mortem Blood. Robertson, MD and Drummer, OH.
    The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT) and Environmental Toxicology, August, 1995. Thessaloniki, GREECE.
18. Distribution and Redistribution of Nitrobenzodiazepines in Post-mortem tissues.
    Robertson, MD and Drummer, OH.
    The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT) and Environmental
    Toxicology, August, 1995. Thessaloniki, GREECE.
19. The Use of Responsibility Analysis to Determine the Contribution of Drugs to Accident Causation. Drummer, OH, Gerostamoulos, J and Robertson, MD.
    The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT) and Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT), 1994 Joint Congress, October – November, 1994. Tampa, Florida, USA.
20. Postmortem Drug Metabolism by Bacteria. Robertson, MD and Drummer, OH.
    International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS) 13^th International Meeting, August, 1993.
    Dusseldorf, GERMANY.
21. Postmortem Bioconversion of Drugs. Robertson, MD and Drummer, OH.
    The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT) 31^st International Meeting, August, 1993. Leipzig, GERMANY.Drugs and Driving in Victoria, Cordner, SM and Robertson, MD.
22. 20th International Medical Advisory Conference, October, 1991. Gold Coast, AUSTRALIA.
23. Drugs and Driving in Victoria, Cordner, SM and Robertson, MD.
24. Proceedings of the 20th International Medical Advisory Conference, 1991.

INVITED PRESENTATIONS (edited list, a full list can be provided upon request):

1. Drugs, Alcohol and Family Breakdown
2. 2017 Family Law Pathways Network Conference. Bendigo, Australia
3. What do hair results tell us about an individual’s drug use?
4. 2016 Travel Medicine Alliance. Brisbane, Australia
5. Alcohol and Other Drugs – Contribution and Causation: How to Establish their role in Personal injury Matters
6. 2012 Australian Lawyers Alliance QLD State Conference. Gold Coast, Australia
7. What family lawyers need to know about drug testing and toxicology reports
   27^th Annual Family Law Residential, 2012. Ashmore, Australia.
8. Understanding the Limitations of the Analyses
   Advances in the Toxicological Investigation of Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault – Workshop. American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Seattle, Washington, USA.
9. Overview of Newer Drugs of Abuse
   The Non-Specialists Review of Forensic Toxicology: Revisiting the Old and Addressing the New – Workshop. American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Seattle, Washington, USA.
10. Pharmacodynamics and Analytical Confirmation Techniques
    Benzodiazepines: Pharmacology and Analytical Challenges – Workshop. Society of Forensic Toxicologists. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
11. Pharmacology and Toxicology of Rave Drugs
    LA Rave: Current Trends in Rave Drugs, Pharmacology and Toxicology – Workshop. California Association of Toxicologists. Los Angeles, California, USA.
12. Drugs, Drugging and the Drugged
    Northumberland County Police and Detectives, Pennsylvania, USA.Involvement of Drugs in Fatal Accident Causation
    Drugs, Driving, and Traffic Safety: Update – Workshop. Society of Forensic Toxicologists. Puerto Rico.
13. Before Interpretation comes Understanding: The Role of the Toxicologist in Forensic Investigations. Washington State Patrol. Seattle, Washington, USA.
14. Date Rape Drugs
    Staten Island University Hospital. New York, N.Y., USA.
15. Role of Drugs in Motor Vehicle Fatalities.
    National Police Workshop on Behavioral Testing for Drugs. Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine. Melbourne, AUSTRALIA.