Hilary Griffiths

Hilary Griffiths testified for the Commonwealth on Day 6 about benzodiazepine testing she performed as a forensic scientist in the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory's Toxicology Unit. She confirmed nordiazepam, oxazepam, temazepam and lorazepam in urine and reported blood concentrations for five substances. She explained that the first three urine findings could be breakdown products of diazepam or another benzodiazepine, rather than evidence that each substance had been taken separately. She also distinguished detecting a substance in urine from measuring its concentration, explaining that urine concentrations do not reflect prior blood concentrations.

On direct examination by Shanan Buckingham, Griffiths separated her testing and data analysis from final reporting by Nicholas Roberts. She clarified that she performed urine confirmation, not the initial screen, and that her role required analytical decisions. Asked about laboratory controls, she said that ultimately the relevant controls performed appropriately and described another analyst's review and agreement with her findings.

On cross-examination by Kevin Reddington, Griffiths confirmed findings for mirtazapine, lamotrigine, quetiapine, trazodone and specified metabolites, along with several negative screens. She explained how the hospital prepared serum plasma and identified Lisa Yelle as the analyst responsible for the general unknown screen. The judge admitted Clancy's toxicology report as Exhibit 183 without objection. Griffiths also confirmed that a blood sample went to NMS Labs, but said only that she believed results existed. There was no redirect.