As you well know by now, toxicological studies require much strategic resource allocation. That is why TigerTox exists. Our goal is to make the most of our time and your money. By organizing your data into manageable information and letting you know what questions to ask your experts, we can help you get the answers you need faster and at a lower cost. Here is how we can help you understand this process by using an unexpected metaphor: the world of relationship recognition in the United States. Many of us have heard of common law marriage, but how many of us can define it? As online definitions have become more popular over the last several decades, we have come to understand that common law marriage refers to a form of relationship where a couple is married without a certificate or religious ceremony, but they have acted married for a long period of time. Some states have recognized some aspects of this type of relationship, but this form of cohabitation has not been widely accepted as legal. So does NC recognize common law marriage? The answer to this question is somewhat similar to the principle of strategic resource allocation in toxicology. Every state has its own rules about relationships. North Carolina does recognize some aspects of common law marriage, but not others. It turns out that the State of North Carolina does not recognize a common law relationship in its entirety, but only if it involves the couple acting together as if they are a married couple for the span of three years. After three years, they are considered a common law couple and have full rights under the law. From that point forward, they have access to divorce legislation. It is important to note, however, that if they were to separate from that point forward, the court could not rule on the issue of equitable distribution as their marital assets had not been “frozen” by separation.
The metaphorical similarities between toxicology and the process of defining legal relationships in the United States are manifold. Much like how toxicology studies must tackle the inherent complexity of doing a study on an individual person, it can be very difficult to walk the line of recognizing a relationship legally. Both processes have to engage in a line of questioning that systematically addresses each one of the difficulties in order to reach a legally sound conclusion. We have to ask many questions to understand the legal issues and find any complexities of a case, just like a scientist asks many questions to find out extensive data from blood or tissue samples. By thinking of the process this way, we find ways to apply our toxicological background to the world of law and find out the most logical and cost-effective answer to clinical questions.
For more information on common law marriage, you can visit the Wikipedia page.