After more than a decade, the wait is finally over. The “alcohol Bible,” Wigmore on Alcohol, has been updated by the addition of more than 400 new studies on the medicolegal aspect of alcohol. New sections on alcohol addiction (AUD), withdrawal (AWS), fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), and health effects have been added, as well as new appendices. Carefully selected historic quotes about alcohol in society — ranging from those by Abraham Lincoln to Albert Einstein and Homer Simpson — at the beginning of each chapter and section provide a more profound understanding of this drug. Wigmore on Alcohol, 2e is an indispensable tool for medical and legal practitioners looking for an exhaustive survey of — and up-to-date scientific evidence related to — blood alcohol. Wigmore has developed the definitive sourcebook on courtroom alcohol toxicology for the medicolegal professional. The book abstracts over 1,200 articles from the periodical literature around the world and presents the information in a clear and systematic format that is easily accessible to both experts and lay persons.

James G. Wigmore worked as a forensic alcohol toxicologist at one of the foremost forensic laboratory in North America — the Centre of Forensic Sciences in Toronto, Ontario — for over twenty-nine years. He has testified in over 700 criminal cases throughout Canada, in personal injury civil cases, coroner’s inquests, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario hearings, and a military court martial in Germany. He has published numerous scientific studies in this area, which have been cited by the Supreme Court of Canada (R v St. Onge-Lamoreux, 2012). In 2005 he was awarded the prestigious Derome Award from the Canadian Society of Forensic Science in recognition of outstanding contributions in the field of forensic science. Between 2004 and 2012, he taught on the Robert F. Borkenstein Course at Indiana University in Bloomington. He has presented many seminars and alcohol workshops to numerous medicolegal organizations, including the Ontario Crown Attorneys, the California DUI Lawyers Association, the Southwestern Association of Forensic Scientists (Texas), the Osgoode Hall Law School (York University), and at various judges’ meetings.

James G. Wigmore's profile page

“In summary, this work provides scientist and non-scientist, student and expert alike with a source of relevant articles to assist them in learning about, understanding or deepening their knowledge of alcohol toxicology.”

Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal

“It will certainly be the new Alcohol Bible for decades to come, and be of great value to active practitioners and researchers.”

Dr. Kurt M. Dubowski, George Lynn Cross Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Medicine, University of Oklahoma

“I worked in the insurance industry for many, many years and I have attended mediations, discoveries and trials. I have also published articles and presented at seminars. Your book would have been of such a help as a reference had it been available . . . . It is certainly one that should be used by the Insurance Industry, the Law Society and Police Departments across the country.”

Carolan Shannon, RN, Claims Consultant

“This book is a must for anyone who is working on medicolegal issues involving alcohol. It will be appreciated by lay persons interested in this topic as well as scientific and legal experts involved in alcohol-related medicolegal issues.”

Thomas L. Pazdernik, PhD, University of Kansas Medical Center

“In short, Wigmore on Alcohol is a wonderful research tool that will prove a valuable resource in both legal and scientific libraries.”

Justice Libman, Judge of the Ontario Court of Justice

“I regret that Wigmore on Alcohol was not available to me during my years of active practice in forensic science.”

Doug Lucas, MSc, DSc (Hons), Retired Director of the Centre of Forensic Sciences, Toronto

"This is truly an exceptional resource for any active professional and practitioner working in the area of forensic alcohol be they a toxicologist, researcher, educator, prosecutor, defense attorney, judge or law enforcement officer. As one of the online reviewers stated, Wigmore on Alcohol will be the new "Alcohol Bible" for years to come."

J. Robert Zettl, BS, MPA, Newsletter, International Association for Chemical Testing, Volume 23, no.1, March, 2012, p. 2