Alcohol, Drugs & Impairment Division

The Borkenstein Award, named for Breathalyzer® inventor Robert F. Borkenstein, recognizes individuals who, through a lifetime of service, have made outstanding contributions to the field of alcohol- and drug-related traffic safety. Honorees are selected by professionals involved in the Alcohol, Drugs, and Impairment Division, which is managed by the National Safety Council.

2020 Borkenstein Award Winner is J. Rod McCutcheon, B.S., F-ABFT

J. Rod McCutcheon of Lake Kiowa, Texas, has been named the recipient of the 2020 Robert F. Borkenstein Award. McCutcheon, who spent 20 years working in the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory, is being recognized for his significant work in forensic toxicology as a leader, teacher and researcher.

McCutcheon earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin. He then spent 20 years working at the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory – the last decade as supervisor of toxicology – before becoming chief toxicologist for the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office in Austin, Texas. In October 2004, he became chief toxicologist for the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office in San Antonio, Texas, and served there until his retirement in February 2011. He continues to serve as a consulting expert in litigation involving forensic toxicology issues. On the education side, McCutcheon has lectured in classes for law enforcement personnel in the areas of alcohol- and drug-related driving impairment. He has also served as an instructor for the master’s in toxicology program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. His research work has appeared in a variety of publications, including the New England Journal of Medicine and Journal of Analytical Toxicology.

A fellow with the American Board of Forensic Toxicology and American Academy of Forensic Sciences, McCutcheon also is a charter member with the Alcohol Testing Alliance and Southwestern Association of Toxicologists. He is a member of the NSC Alcohol, Drugs and Impairment Division, as well as the International Association of Forensic Toxicologists. In addition, he has served on the Society of Forensic Toxicologist Board of Directors and has received the Charles Tripp Appreciation and Rolla N. Harger awards.

Division Documents

Meet the NSC Alcohol, Drugs & Impairment Division Leaders

The NSC Alcohol, Drugs & Impairment Division tackles substance abuse and prescription drug issues and makes recommendations to combat the impaired driving problem through legislation, education and other countermeasures. The Division also offers opportunities for safety-focused networking with others in the field.

Robert D. Johnson Ph.D
[email protected]
Alcohol, Drugs & Impairment Division Chair

Mr. Johnson earned a Ph.D in analytical chemistry from The University of Oklahoma. Certified as a Diplomate by the American Board of Forensic Toxicology, he joined the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office as chief toxicologist in 2011. He previously worked for 10 years as a senior research chemist at the Federal Aviation Administration Civil Aerospace Medical Institute in Oklahoma City. Dr. Johnson is active in the Society of Forensic Toxicologists, the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and the Southwestern Association of Toxicologists. He has published more than 50 scientific articles.

Sabra Botch-Jones M.S., M.A., D-ABFT-FT
[email protected]
Alcohol, Drugs & Impairment Division Vice Chair

Sabra Botch-Jones is a forensic toxicologist and assistant professor at Boston University School of Medicine Biomedical Forensic Sciences program. She is course director for Forensic Toxicology, Analysis of Controlled Substances and Instrumental Analysis. She conducts research in forensic toxicology and seized drug analysis. She began her career with the Federal Aviation Administration and was a senior forensic toxicologist/quality manager at the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office. She earned master of science degrees in drug chemistry and forensic toxicology from the University of Florida, and bachelors and masters of arts in criminal justice and CJ management and administration from University of Central Oklahoma. She has authored and coauthored 17 scientific articles. She serves on the Toxicology Subcommittee of the Organization for Scientific Area Committees and the Secretary of the Toxicology Consensus Body of the Academy Standards Board. Sabra is active in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences’ Humanitarian and Human Rights Resource Center.

Michael R. Corbett, Ph.D., LL.M., F-ABFT, FCSFS
[email protected]
Alcohol, Drugs & Impairment Division Secretary

Dr. Corbett is a forensic toxicologist and adjunct professor in forensic science at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. He received a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Toronto and an LL.M. from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences and member of several other organizations, including the Society of Forensic Toxicologists. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Medico-Legal Society of Toronto. He initially worked for 13 years as a forensic toxicologist for the Province of Ontario, and thereafter continued a full-time consulting practice in forensic toxicology for more than 17 years. He is a consultant inspector for the National Laboratory Certification Program in workplace drug testing. He has presented on research at forensic science conferences and education in legal programs. He has testified more than 950 times as an expert witness on alcohol, drugs and impairment/intoxication in cases involving death, injury and other aspects.

Chester Flaxmayer
Alcohol, Drugs & Impairment Division Immediate Past Chair