My Story

Most people know me as a forensic toxicologist.

Very few know why I chose this path.

For more than 22 years, I have dedicated my career to forensic toxicology, death investigation, and the pursuit of scientific truth. But this wasn't the career I originally planned.

As a young student, my dream was to become a physician, just like my father. I completed my undergraduate studies on the pre-med track and fully intended to attend medical school.

Then, in 2004, everything changed.

The unexpected loss of my brother forever altered the direction of my life. Watching his death investigation unfold was heartbreaking. Not only because of our loss, but because of the shortcomings I witnessed in the investigation itself. The lack of care in scene documentation, evidence collection, and investigative thoroughness left questions that could never be answered.

Instead of continuing toward medical school, I made the decision to dedicate my Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology to forensic science. I knew I couldn't control every aspect of a death investigation, but I could ensure that the science was performed with integrity, precision, and objectivity.

Laboratory findings often become the voice for those who can no longer speak for themselves, and I wanted that voice to be accurate, unbiased, and impossible to ignore.

That decision led me to spend more than two decades serving in both the public and private sectors. I had the privilege of working for one of the nation's largest medical examiner systems, ultimately serving as Chief and Laboratory Director of the Forensic Sciences Laboratories Division for Los Angeles County.

This past year, I made one of the biggest decisions of my professional life by transitioning into private consulting.

It wasn't a step away from my mission, it was a step toward expanding it.

Today, through my consulting practice (https://drrubyjaved.com), I provide independent forensic toxicology expertise for attorneys, medical professionals, families, insurance companies, and organizations seeking objective, evidence-based scientific opinions. Whether reviewing a wrongful death case, interpreting complex toxicology findings, evaluating impaired driving evidence, or explaining difficult scientific concepts in court, my commitment remains the same.

My mission has never changed: to let science speak, provide clear and unbiased answers, and help ensure that every case receives the careful scientific evaluation it deserves.

I am incredibly proud of the career that has brought me here, but I believe the most meaningful work is still ahead.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this journey. If we've never connected before, I'd love to hear from you. And if you're looking for an independent forensic toxicology expert or simply enjoy discussions about forensic science, toxicology, and the pursuit of justice, I invite you to follow along.

The best is yet to come.