Our Mission
Enlighten Scientific Services is an esteemed forensic toxicology consulting firm headquartered in Alabama. Discover how our unwavering commitment to excellence sets us apart in the industry.
We deliver top-tier services tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. Trust us to provide accurate and timely interpretations and opinions that you can rely on.
While our primary focus is in the southeast region, cases outside our immediate area will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Choose Enlighten Scientific Services for all your forensic toxicology needs, and experience the difference of working with true experts in the field.
Rachel C. Beck, Ph.D., F-ABFT
Dr. Rachel Beck is a distinguished forensic toxicologist, specializing in the interpretation of forensic toxicological reports for legal proceedings. As the principal consultant at Enlighten Scientific Services, Dr. Beck’s services include document review and assessment, comprehensive interpretative report writing, and expert witness testimony for cases related to both human performance and post-mortem forensic toxicology. Leveraging her extensive knowledge and meticulous attention to detail, she serves as a trusted advisor to attorneys in both criminal and civil cases.
Dr. Beck began her academic journey with a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry from the University of Mississippi, followed by advanced studies, earning a Master of Science and a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Her professional career spans over 15 years, including positions at the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and the Jefferson County Coroner and Medical Examiner’s Office. Dr. Beck is an active member of both the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) and the Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT), presenting and publishing on relevant matters, and she is also a fellow of the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (F-ABFT). To share her passion for forensic toxicology, Dr. Beck has served as a guest lecturer, presenter, trainer, and instructor over the years.
Dr. Beck prides herself on her honesty and believes it is her responsibility not only to share the scientifically founded truths regarding case evidence but also to help educate the attorneys and clients she represents in the field of forensic toxicology.
With more than 15 years of providing expert testimony, Dr. Beck's insights have proven instrumental in ensuring fair and just outcomes in legal proceedings. Her integrity and dedication to upholding the highest standards of forensic science have earned her recognition and respect within the legal and scientific communities.
Outside her professional career, Dr. Beck is a wife and mother. She and her husband of the past 17 years have three children together, two girls and a boy. With all three children involved in extracurricular activities, Dr. Beck finds most of her free time is spent at the ballfield, either cheering for her kids and their friends from the stands or coaching on the field.
Curriculum Vitae
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PhD in Chemistry from University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 2010-2015
M.S. in Chemistry from University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 2010-2013
B.S. in Forensic Chemistry from University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi 2003-2006
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Fellow of the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (F-ABFT) 2015 - Present
Advanced Roadside Impairment Detection Enforcement (ARIDE) 2015
Diplomat of the Forensic Toxicology Certification Board (D-FTCB) 2010 – 2015
Alabama Peace Officer’s Standards and Training Certification (APOSTC) 2006 - 2015
Alabama Chemical Test for Intoxication Act #T018; Breath Testing 2008
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Society of Forensic Toxicology (SOFT) 2008 – Present
American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) 2010 – Present
Alabama State Association of Forensic Science (ASAFS) 2012 - 2015
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Robert F. Borkenstein Course: Effects of Drugs on Human Performance and Behavior 2023
Robert F. Borkenstein Course on Alcohol and Highway Safety: Testing, Research and Litigation 2007
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(2018) Residents (1) Forensic Toxicology Rotation (Ethanol, Chromatography, Theory of Mass Spectrometry, and Metabolism)
(2018) Lab. Week Presentation “Fentanyl Analogs”
(2017) Lab. Week Presentation “Fentalogues”
(2017) Residents (5) Forensic Toxicology Rotation (Ethanol, Chromatography, Theory of Mass Spectrometry, and Metabolism)
(2016) Lab. Week Presentation “Analytical Consideration for Heroin”
(2016) Residents (7) Forensic Toxicology Rotation (Ethanol, Chromatography, and Theory of Mass Spectrometry)
(2015) Fall Semester Teaching Assistant; Chem116 – General Chemistry I Laboratory; University of Alabama at Birmingham; Department of Chemistry
(2011) Lecturer; Module III [Modes of Ionization]; Drug Chemistry Section Chief Training: Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences
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Atherton, D.; Dye, D.; Robinson Jr., C.A.; and Beck, R. “n-Ethyl Pentylone Related Deaths in Alabama” Journal of Forensic Sciences. (2019) 64 (1): 304-308. DOI: 10.1111/1556- 4029.13823.
Beck, R. and Erdmann, M. “Reinforcing Mass Spectrometry Concepts Through an Undergraduate Laboratory Exercise Utilizing a Direct Analysis in Real Time Enabled Mass Spectrometer” Journal of Chemical Education. (2018) 95, 4: 652-661. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.7b00437
Beck, R.; Kloda, S.; Atherton, D.; Dye, D; and Robinson C.A. “Quantification of Loperamide by Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)” Journal of Analytical Toxicology. (2017) 41 (9): 729-734. DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkx069
Beck, R., Carter, P., Shonsey, E. and Graves, D. Tandem DART™ MS Methods for Methadone Analysis in Unprocessed Urine. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. (2016) 40 (2): 140-147
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(2018) Atherton, D.; Beck, R.; and McClesky, B. “Strange Bedfellows: Fentanyl Mixed With the Antiquated Poison Strychnine” American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting.
(2018) Beck, R.; Kloda, S.; Whiddon, J.; Atherton, D.; and Robinson, C.A. “Will the real “Molly” please stand up?: n-Ethyl Pentylone Related Deaths in Alabama” American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting.
(2017) Beck, R.; Kloda, S.; Whiddon, J.; Dye, D.; and Robinson, C.A. “Jefferson County Fentalogues: A 6 Month Review” Society of Forensic Toxicology Annual Meeting
(2017) Beck, R.; Kloda, S.; Whiddon, J.; Davis, G.; and Robinson, C.A. “Methodical Approach for the Identification of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS)” Society of Forensic Toxicology Annual Meeting
(2017) Atherton, D.; Dye, D.; McCleskey, B.; and Beck, R. “The First Case of Loperamide Toxicity in Jefferson County, Alabama” American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting
(2017) Beck, R.; Kloda, S.; Dye, D.; and Robinson, C.A. “The Quantification of Loperamide by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)” American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting
(2017) Beck, R.; Kloda, S.; Dye, D.; Simmons, G. and Robinson, C.A. “Analysis of Drug Paraphernalia in a Wrongful Death Case” American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting
(2017) Beck, R.; Li, F.; and Musselman, B. “Primary Ion Middle Ion Structure Analysis (PIMISA®) -Enabled Direct Analysis in Real-Time (DART®) QDa Mass Spectrometer (MS): The Latest Development in Forensic Analysis Efficiency” American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting
(2015) Beck, R. and Graves, D. “Applications for DART™ MS technology for Bioanalysis of Opioids” Society of Forensic Toxicology Annual Meeting
(2015) Beck, R. and Graves, D. “Novel Screening Technique for Opioids in Toxicological Specimens via SPME DART™ TOF MS” American Society of Mass Spectrometry Sanibel Conference
(2014) Beck, R.; Carter, P. and Shonsey, E. “Qualitative Analysis of Methadone in Urine via DART MS” Society of Forensic Toxicology Annual Meeting
(2013) Beck, R.; Morgan, M.; Segrest, T.; and Shonsey, E. “DART AccuTOF: A New Drug Screening Protocol for Biological Specimens”. American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting
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(2018) Beck, R.; Kloda, S.; Whiddon, J.; Atherton, D.; and Robinson, C.A. “Will the real “Molly” please stand up?: n-Ethyl Pentylone Related Deaths in Alabama” American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting.
(2017) Beck, R.; Kloda, S.; Whiddon, J.; Dye, D.; and Robinson, C.A. “Jefferson County Fentalogues: A 6 Month Review” Society of Forensic Toxicology Joint Annual Meeting with The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists.
(2017) Beck, R.; Kloda, S.; Dye, D.; Simmons, G. and Robinson, C.A. “Analysis of Drug Paraphernalia in a Wrongful Death Case” American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting
(2017) Beck, R.; Li, F.; and Musselman, B. “Primary Ion Middle Ion Structure Analysis (PIMISA®) -Enabled Direct Analysis in Real-Time (DART®) QDa Mass Spectrometer (MS): The Latest Development in Forensic Analysis Efficiency” American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting
(2015) Beck, R. and Graves, D. “Applications for DART™ MS technology for Bioanalysis of Opioids” Society of Forensic Toxicology Annual Meeting
(2015) Beck, R. and Graves, D. “Novel Screening Technique for Opioids in Toxicological Specimens via SPME DART™ TOF MS” American Society of Mass Spectrometry Sanibel Conference
(2013) Beck, R.; Morgan, M.; Segrest, T.; and Shonsey, E. “DART AccuTOF: A New Drug Screening Protocol for Biological Specimens”. American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting
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(2018) Atherton, D.; Beck, R.; and McClesky, B. “Strange Bedfellows: Fentanyl Mixed With the Antiquated Poison Strychnine” American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting.
(2017) Beck, R.; Kloda, S.; Whiddon, J.; Davis, G.; and Robinson, C.A. “Methodical Approach for the Identification of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS)” Society of Forensic Toxicology Annual Meeting
(2017) Beck, R.; Kloda, S.; Dye, D.; and Robinson, C.A. “The Quantification of Loperamide by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)” American Academy of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting
(2015) Beck, R. and Graves, D. “Evaluation of Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry (DART™ MS) for Bioanalysis via Liquid-Liquid Extraction” Mississippi State University 5th Annual Lester Andrews Graduate Research Symposium
(2014) Beck, R.; Carter, P. and Shonsey, E. “Qualitative Analysis of Methadone in Urine via DART MS” Society of Forensic Toxicology Annual Meeting
(2014) Beck, R. and Harper, C. “Designer Drugs Update” Alabama State Association of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting
(2012) Beck, R.; Morgan, M.; Segrest, T.; and Shonsey, E. –“DART AccuTOF: A New Drug Screening Protocol for Biological Specimens”. Alabama State Association of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting
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(2018) Beck, R. “Introduction to Postmortem Toxicology” Alabama Coroner Association Annual Meeting Orange Beach, AL.
(2017) “Forensics and Homeland Security Mass Spectrometry Research: A Critical Discussion between Academicians and Forensic Science Practitioners” American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) – Invited Panelist
(2017) “Un-Comfortably Numb: The Evolving Opioid Epidemic” UAB Laboratory Medicine Seminar
(2017) Beck, R. “A Mass Spectrometry Takeover? Reasons to Replace Immunoassays Testing” ACS 2017 Annual Meeting
(2016) Beck, R. “Un “Comfortably Numb”: The Evolving Opioid Epidemic” Triennial ASCLS Meeting
(2014) Beck, R. Advanced Analytical Techniques; JS567 Forensic Toxicology; Department of Justice Sciences – Forensic Sciences; University of Alabama at Birmingham
(2013) Beck, R.; Segrest, T.; and Shonsey, E. “Basics of Chromatography” as part of Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry – Implementation and Maintenance. Alabama State Association of Forensic Sciences Annual Meeting
(2013) Beck, R. and Shonsey, E. “Basics of Liquid Chromatography” as part of Advanced Instrument Troubleshooting. Southern Association of Forensic Sciences
(2013) Beck, R. Developing a Research Project; JS670 Elements of Forensic Sciences; Department of Justice Sciences – Forensic Sciences; University of Alabama at Birmingham