Hair Analysis For Drugs Research Articles

A Review on Forensic Toxicological Analysis of Drugs in Hair using Various Instrumental Techniques

Forensic analysis of drugs in hair using various modern instrumental analysis involves the use of different analytical techniques to detect, identify drugs and their metabolites that may be present in the hair. Forensic analysis of drugs from hair using instrumental analysis is a valuable tool for law enforcement agencies, workplaces, and drug treatment programs also in suspicious death due to poisoning, drug overdose, and doping in sports. Hair provides various advantages over urine and blood, such as easy sample collection and has the ability for providing retrospective drug intake or past history of drug abuse. Drug analysis in hair requires a smaller sample size, advancements in sample preparation techniques with lowered detection limits in instrumental analysis. Additionally, hair provides a chronological overview of the drug of abuse with reference to its micro-segmental analysis. This review paper aims to provide thorough understanding of the various instrumental techniques that are used to extract, isolate, identify the drugs and their metabolites based on their chemical and physical characteristics and their quantification in the hair. In majority of the cases, hair is not appreciated for its attributes as evidence. This paper tries to focus on the evidentiary value of hair and the techniques that are available globally

High Spatial-Resolution Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Ion Trap-Time-of-Flight Tandem Mass Spectrometry Imaging for Depicting Longitudinal and Transverse Distribution of Drugs Incorporated into Hair.

This study aims to achieve high spatial-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) imaging for depicting longitudinal and transverse distribution of drugs in hair, which can provide indispensable information for the proper interpretation of hair test results, including the mechanism of drug incorporation into hair. Two types of hair samples were obtained and analyzed: User's Hair, sampled from a volunteer who took an over-the-counter medicine containing methoxyphenamine (MOP), a nonregulated analogue of methamphetamine; and Soaked Hair, prepared by soaking blank hair in MOP solution. Longitudinal and transverse-sectioning of single hair shafts was accomplished by freeze-sectioning using customized microtomes. Vapor deposition of α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid provided the finest matrix layer (resolution <1 μm, 0.7-μm thickness), although it provided less effective ionization of MOP compared to aerosol spraying or a combination of both. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-ion trap (IT)-time-of-flight (TOF) MS/MS permitted the imaging of trace-level MOP in hair with a MS/MS window setting of ±0.02 Da and a spatial resolution setting at 5 or 10 μm. For Soaked Hair, localization of MOP in the peripheral part was clearly depicted, but no such biased distribution was observed in the transverse sections of User's Hair. MOP-positive bands generated corresponding to the time periods of MOP intake could be observed on the longitudinal sections of User's Hair. This method can provide forensically crucial information regarding hair analysis for drugs: drug incorporation mechanism into hair, discrimination of undesired surface contamination from endogenous incorporation of ingested drugs, and precise elucidation of drug-use history.

Extraction Procedures for Hair Forensic Toxicological Analysis: A Mini-Review.

In forensic toxicology, drugs of abuse are routinely analyzed due to legal statute in medical or legal investigation, such as death cases, poisoning cases, and drug misuse, determining potential exposure to controlled substances. Despite the widespread use of blood and urine as matrices for forensic toxicological analysis, the use of hair samples has grown as the limitations associated with this matrix are overcome and new areas of application emerge. Hair provides several advantages over urine and blood, such as the easiness of sample collection and the ability to provide a retrospective analysis of drug consumption. Drug analysis in hair is following a path where less amount of sample has been needed to detect drugs of abuse. Improvement in sample preparation methods and lowering detection limits in instrumental analysis is providing forensic scientists with the tools to use drug analysis with hair as a routine approach in the forensic laboratory. Actually, besides the chronological exposition to a drug, hair may provide information about the day a chemical was used. This should become part of the standard information sent by forensic scientists to criminal investigators and courts. The aim of this review is to summon the extraction procedures used to perform forensic toxicological analysis in hair as well as the major advances in this field once a sample preparation step is critical and takes up most of the total analysis time.

Segmental Analysis of Chlorprothixene and Desmethylchlorprothixene in Postmortem Hair.

Analysis of drugs in hair differs from their analysis in other tissues due to the extended detection window, as well as the opportunity that segmental hair analysis offers for the detection of changes in drug intake over time. The antipsychotic drug chlorprothixene is widely used, but few reports exist on chlorprothixene concentrations in hair. In this study, we analyzed hair segments from 20 deceased psychiatric patients who had undergone chronic chlorprothixene treatment, and we report hair concentrations of chlorprothixene and its metabolite desmethylchlorprothixene. Three to six 1-cm long segments were analyzed per individual, corresponding to ~3-6 months of hair growth before death, depending on the length of the hair. We used a previously published and fully validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the hair analysis. The 10th-90th percentiles of chlorprothixene and desmethylchlorprothixene concentrations in all hair segments were 0.05-0.84 ng/mg and 0.06-0.89 ng/mg, respectively, with medians of 0.21 and 0.24 ng/mg, and means of 0.38 and 0.43 ng/mg. The estimated daily dosages ranged from 28 mg/day to 417 mg/day. We found a significant positive correlation between the concentration in hair and the estimated daily doses for both chlorprothixene (P = 0.0016, slope = 0.0044 [ng/mg hair]/[mg/day]) and the metabolite desmethylchlorprothixene (P = 0.0074). Concentrations generally decreased throughout the hair shaft from proximal to distal segments, with an average reduction in concentration from segment 1 to segment 3 of 24% for all cases, indicating that most of the individuals had been compliant with their treatment. We have provided some guidance regarding reference levels for chlorprothixene and desmethylchlorprothixene concentrations in hair from patients undergoing long-term chlorprothixene treatment.

A validated liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for the analysis of efavirenz in 0.2 mg hair samples from human immunodeficiency virus infected patients.

Drug levels in hair provide a longer window of detection, compared to plasma drug levels, and therefore hair analysis has the advantage of assessing adherence over a longer period of time. No methods for the analysis of antiretroviral drugs in hair currently exist in South Africa, and worldwide there is only one validated method for the determination of efavirenz in hair that has been published. Efavirenz was extracted from 0.2mg of hair through a simultaneous pulverization and extraction step. Separation was achieved on an Agilent Poroshell C18 column using an isocratic elution with a total run time of 3min. A triple quadrupole mass spectrometer set to electrospray ionization in positive multiple reaction monitoring mode was used for detection. The method was validated over the concentration range 0.625-40ng/mg. Using ten times less hair than in a previously published method, the lower limit of quantitation was validated at 0.625ng/mg. The interday and intraday assay precision, expressed as the percentage coefficient of variation (CV), for spiked calibration standards and quality control samples was lower than 7% and accuracy ranged from 97 to 110%. For quality controls prepared from authentic hair the CV was less than 12%. The extraction efficiency for authentic quality control samples was determined to be 83% after repeated extractions of the same samples. This paper reports the first quantitative method for the determination of efavirenz in hair to be developed in South Africa. The validated method allowed for the successful monitoring of efavirenz in hair collected from HIV-infected patients as part of a clinical study.

Assessment of Pregabalin Use by Hair Testing

ABSTRACTBackground: The detection and analysis of drugs in hair has progressively emerged as a consequence of the enhanced sensitivity of analytical techniques used in forensic toxicology; a greater advantage in using this matrix respect to classical ones (i.e., urine and blood) is an easier and noninvasive sample collection, even when the careful supervision of law-enforcement officers is required to avoid the risk that the sample may be adulterated or replaced. Moreover, according to the length of the hair, the history of drug exposure can be retrospectively monitored from few weeks up to months or years since sample collection. Objective: Given the potential negative effects of pregabalin, an antiepileptic and analgesic drug with a high risk of misuse and abuse, the laboratory was asked to test for the drug in hair. Method: A new ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry was developed. The method involves incubation of 25 mg of cut hair in acetonitrile for 2 h in an ultrasonic bath and separation on an Acquity HSS C18 column (150 × 2.1 mm × 1.8 µm) maintained at 50°C in a thermostatically controlled oven. A gradient elution was performed. Results: The method was fully validated according to international standards. The limit of quantitation of the test was 10 pg/mg. Five authentic cases of pregabalin in hair segments were tested using the method and the results were in the range 17–1487 pg/mg. Conclusion: This new method was found suitable to monitor both patients under pregabalin therapy and dependent subjects.

Post-mortem quetiapine concentrations in hair segments of psychiatric patients — Correlation between hair concentration, dose and concentration in blood

Drug analysis in hair is useful when seeking to establish drug intake over a period of months to years. Segmental hair analysis can also document whether psychiatric patients are receiving a stable intake of antipsychotics. This study describes segmental analysis of the antipsychotic drug quetiapine in post-mortem hair samples from long-term quetiapine users by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) analysis. The aim was to obtain more knowledge on quetiapine concentrations in hair and to relate the concentration in hair to the administered dose and the post-mortem concentration in femoral blood.We analyzed hair samples from 22 deceased quetiapine-treated individuals, who were divided into two groups: natural hair colour and dyed/bleached hair. Two to six 1cm long segments were analyzed per individual, depending on the length of the hair, with 6cm corresponding to the last six months before death. The average daily quetiapine dose and average concentration in hair for the last six months prior to death were examined for potential correlation. Estimated doses ranged from 45 to 1040mg quetiapine daily over the period, and the average concentration in hair ranged from 0.18 to 13ng/mg. A significant positive correlation was observed between estimated daily dosage of quetiapine and average concentration in hair for individuals with natural hair colour (p=0.00005), but statistical significance was not reached for individuals with dyed/bleached hair (p=0.31). The individual coefficient of variation (CV) of the quetiapine concentrations between segments ranged from 3 to 34% for individuals with natural hair colour and 22–62% for individuals with dyed/bleached hair. Dose-adjusted concentrations in hair were significantly lower in females with dyed/bleached hair than in individuals with natural hair colour. The quetiapine concentrations in post-mortem femoral blood and in the proximal hair segment, segment 1 (S1), representing the last month before death were also investigated for correlation. A significant positive correlation was observed between quetiapine concentrations in blood at the time of death and concentrations in S1 for individuals with natural hair colour (p=0.003) but not for individuals with dyed/bleached hair (p=0.31). The blood concentrations of quetiapine ranged from 0.006 to 1.9mg/kg, and the quetiapine concentrations in S1 ranged from 0.22 to 24ng/mg.The results of this study suggest a positive correlation of quetiapine between both concentrations in hair and doses, and between proximal hair (S1) and blood concentrations, when conditions such as hair treatments are taken into consideration.

Quantitative analysis of drugs in hair by UHPLC high resolution mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatographic methods coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry are increasingly used to identify compounds in various matrices including hair but there are few recommendations regarding the parameters and their criteria to identify a compound. In this study we present a method for the identification and quantification of a range of drugs and discuss the parameters used to identify a compound with high resolution mass spectrometry.Drugs were extracted from hair by incubation in a buffer:solvent mixture at 37°C during 18h. Analysis was performed on a chromatographic system comprised of an Agilent 6550 QTOF coupled to a 1290 Infinity UHPLC system. High resolution accurate mass data were acquired in the All Ions mode and exported into Mass Hunter Quantitative software for quantitation and identification using qualifier fragment ions.Validation included selectivity, matrix effects, calibration range, within day and between day precision and accuracy. The analytes were 7-amino-flunitrazepam, 7-amino-clonazepam, 7-amino-nitrazepam, acetylmorphine, alimemazine, alprazolam, amphetamine, benzoylecgonine, buprenorphine, diazepam, ethylmorphine, fentanyl, hydroxyzine, ketobemidone, codeine, cocaine, MDMA, methadone, methamphetamine, morphine, oxycodone, promethazine, propiomazine, propoxyphene, tramadol, zaleplone, zolpidem, and zopiclone. As proof of concept, hair from 29 authentic post mortem cases were analysed.The calibration range was established between 0.05ng/mg to 5.0ng/mg for all analytes except fentanyl (0.02–2.0), buprenorphine (0.04–2.0), and ketobemidone (0.05–4.0) as well as for alimemazine, amphetamine, cocaine, methadone, and promethazine (0.10–5.0). For all analytes, the accuracy of the fortified pooled hair matrix was 84–108% at the low level and 89–106% at the high level. The within series precisions were between 1.4 and 6.7% and the between series precisions were between 1.4 and 10.1%.From the 29 autopsy cases, 121 positive findings were encountered from 23 of the analytes in concentrations similar to those previously published.We conclude that the developed method proved precise and accurate and that it had sufficient performance for the purpose of detecting regular use of drugs or treatment with prescription drugs. To identify a compound we recommend the use of ion ratios as a complement to instrument software “matching scores”.

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric assay for quantitative analyses of triptans in hair.

Triptans are specific drugs widely used for acute treatment of migraine, being selective 5HT1B/1D receptor agonists. A proper assumption of triptans is very important for an effective treatment; nevertheless patients often underuse, misuse, overuse or use triptans inconsistently, i.e., not following the prescribed therapy. Drug analysis in hair can represent a powerful tool for monitoring the compliance of the patient to the therapy, since it can greatly increase the time-window of detection compared to analyses in biological fluids, such as plasma or urine. In the present study, a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the quantitative analysis in human hair of five triptans commonly prescribed in Italy: almotriptan (AL), eletriptan (EP), rizatriptan (RIZ), sumatriptan (SUM) and zolmitriptan (ZP). Hair samples were decontaminated and incubated overnight in diluted hydrochloric acid; the extracts were purified by mixed-mode SPE cartridges and analyzed by LC-MS/MS under gradient elution in positive multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The procedure was fully validated in terms of selectivity, linearity, limit of detection (LOD) and lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ), accuracy, precision, carry-over, recovery, matrix effect and dilution integrity. The method was linear in the range 10-1000pg/mg hair, with R(2) values of at least 0.990; the validated LLOQ values were in the range 5-7pg/mg hair. The method offered satisfactory precision (RSD <10%), accuracy (90-110%) and recovery (>85%) values. The validated procedure was applied on 147 authentic hair samples from subjects being treated in the Headache Centre of Modena University Hospital in order to verify the possibility of monitoring the corresponding hair levels for the taken triptans.

Determination of XLR-11 and its metabolites in hair by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Analysis of drugs in hair is often used as a routine method to obtain detailed information about drug ingestion. However, few studies have been conducted on disposition of synthetic cannabinoids including cyclopropylindoles (UR-144 and XLR-11) and their metabolites in hair. XLR-11 has been widely abused in South Korea recently. Identification of metabolites in hair can be an important proof of synthetic cannabinoids use because it can exclude the possibility of passive smoke exposure. In this study, we described a quantitative analytical method of XLR-11 and its metabolites (UR-144, UR-144 N-5-hydroxypentyl metabolite, UR-144 N-4-hydroxypentyl metabolite, UR-144 N-pentanoic acid metabolite and XLR-11 N-4-hydroxypentyl metabolite) in hair by liquid chromatography with ESI-MS/MS. The target analytes were extracted with methanol from washed and cut hair samples and the extracts were evaporated, filtered and analyzed by LC–MS/MS with electrospray ion source in positive-ionization mode. JWH-018-d9 and JWH-018 N-5-hydroxypentyl metabolite-d5 were used as internal standards. Chromatographic separation was completed within 15min. No interferences were detected in 10 blank hair samples. In intra- and inter-assay precision and accuracy study, CV (%) and bias (%) were below 12. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.1∼2pg/mg and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.2–2pg/mg, respectively. The validation results proved that the method was selective, accurate and precise with acceptable linearity within calibration range. No significant variation was observed by different sources of matrices. This method was applied to hair samples from 14 individual suspects of XLR-11 use. In this result, XLR-11, UR-144, UR-144 N-5-hydroxypentyl metabolite and UR-144 N-pentanoic acid metabolite, XLR-11 N-4-hydroxypentyl metabolite were detected. The concentration of XLR-11 as a parent drug was much higher than other metabolites. UR-144 N-5-hydroxy metabolite and UR-144 N-pentanoic acid were detected mainly in the authentic hair samples from suspected of XLR-11 use. UR-144 N-4- hydroxypentyl metabolite was not detected in all cases.

Cannabinoid findings in children hair - what do they really tell us? An assessment in the light of three different analytical methods with focus on interpretation of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A concentrations.

Hair analysis for drugs and drugs of abuse is increasingly applied in child protection cases. To determine the potential risk to a child living in a household where drugs are consumed, not only can the hair of the parents be analyzed but also the hair of the child. In the case of hair analysis for cannabinoids, the differentiation between external contamination and systemic uptake is particularly difficult, since the drug is quite often handled extensively prior to consumption (e.g. when preparing a joint) and smoke causes a further risk for an external contamination. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA-A), the non-psychoactive biogenetic precursor of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is a suitable marker for external contamination since it is not incorporated into the hair matrix through the bloodstream in relevant amounts. In the presented study, hair samples from 41 children, 4 teenagers, and 34 drug-consuming parents were analyzed for THCA-A, THC and cannabinol (CBN) applying methanolic extraction and a fully validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method (Method 1). For comparison, a part of the samples was also analyzed applying alkaline hydrolysis followed by liquid/liquid extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-M)S (Method 2), or by headspace-solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) (Method 3). Furthermore, 458 seized marihuana samples and 180 seized hashish samples were analyzed for the same cannabinoids by gas-chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID). In all but one of the hair samples, the concentration of THCA-A was higher than the concentration of THC and in 14 cases no THC could be detected despite the presence of THCA-A, suggesting that in almost all cases a significant external contamination had occurred. Within-family comparison showed a higher THCA-A/THC ratio in hair of children than of their consuming caregivers. Mean and median of this ratio of all hair samples (6.7 and 4.2) were between those of marihuana (11.0 and 8.3) and hashish (2.8 and 2.1) with a large variation in all samples. Comparison of the Methods 1 to 3 showed clearly that the choice of the analytical procedure has a strong influence on the quantitative results, mainly because of decarboxylation of THCA-A during hair hydrolysis by NaOH and other analytical steps, which lead to artifactually elevated THC concentrations. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the major part of the cannabinoids detected in the hair samples from children arose from an external contamination through 'passive' transfer by e.g. contaminated hands or surfaces and not from inhalation or deposition of side stream smoke.

P12 Determination of UR 144, XLR-11 and their metabolites in hair by LC/MS/MS

Introduction Analysis of drugs in hair is often used as a routine method to obtain detailed information about drug ingestion. However, few studies have been conducted on desposition of synthetic cannabinoids including cyclopropylindoles (UR-144 and XLR-11) and their metabolites in hair. UR-144 and XLR-11 have been widely abused and controlled in South Korea recently. Identification of metabolites in hair can be an important proof of synthetic cannabinoids use because it can exclude the possibility of passive smoke exposure. In this study, we described a quantitative method of UR-144 and XLR-11 and their metabolites(UR-144 N -5- hydroxypentyl, UR-144 N -pentanoic acid and XLR-11 4-hydroxypentyl) in hair by liquid chromatography with ESI-MS/MS. Methods The target drugs were extracted in hair by alkaline hydrolysis followed by liquid-liquid extraction(LLE) and solid phase extraction(SPE). After hydrolysis, 1 mL of 0.1 M sodium acetate buffer (pH 4.5) and 0.2 mL of acetic acid were added into hair samples and the samples were extracted with 2 mL of n-hexane:ethyl acetate (9:1). The organic extract was transferred into a disposable test tube and evaporated to dryness at 45 °C under a gentle stream of nitrogen. The extract was reconstituted with 2 ml acetate buffer and SPE was performed using automatic SPE equipment, using hydrophobic and cation exchange SPE column. The extract was evaporated, filtered and analyzed by UHPLC-MS-MS with electrospray ion source in positive-ionization mode. JWH-018-d 9 and JWH-018 N -(5-hydroxypentyl) metabolite-d 5 (50 mL, 100 pg/mL internal standard mixed solution) were used as internal standards for the parent drugs (UR-144 and XLR-11) and their metabolites, respectively. Results Chromatographic separation was completed within 15 min. No interferences were detected in 10 blank hair samples. In intra- and inter-assay precision and accuracy study, CV (%) and bias (%) were below 10. The limit of detection was 0.1 to 2 pg/mg and the limit of quantification was 0.2 to 2 pg/mg, respectively. The validation results proved that the method was selective, accurate and precise with acceptable linearity within calibration range. No significant variation was observed by different sources of matrices. Conclusion This method was applied to hair samples from 17 individual suspects of XLR-11 or UR-144 use. The range of concentration of XLR-11 and UR-144 were 267.8 ~ 5618.8 pg/mg and 0 ~ 7.87 pg/mg, respectively. The range of concentration of UR- 144 N -5-hydroxypentyl and UR-144 N -pentanoic acid were 1.2 ~ 299.5 pg/mg and 0.5 ~ 127.8 pg/mg, respectively. The range of concentration of XLR-11 4-hydroxypentyl was 0 ~ 11.21 pg/mg. UR- 144 N -4-hydroxypentyl was not detected in all cases. We can assume that UR-144 N -5-hydroxypentyl and UR-144 N -pentanoic acid are the major detectable compounds in hair in case of XLR-11 intake.

O2: Cannabinoid findings in children hair – what do they really tell us?

Introduction Hair analysis for drugs and drugs of abuse is increasingly applied in child protective cases. To estimate the potential risk to a child living in a household where drugs are consumed, not only the hair of the parents can be analyzed but also the hair of the child. In the case of hair analysis for cannabinoids the differentiation between external contamination and systemic uptake is particularly difficult, since the drug is quite often handled extensively prior to consumption (e.g. when preparing a joint) and smoke causes a further risk for an external contamination. As Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA-A), the non-psychoactive biogenetic precursor of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is not incorporated into the hair matrix through the bloodstream in relevant amounts it may act as a marker for external contamination. Methods 41 hair samples of children (age: 7 months-12 years) and 35 hair samples of drug consuming parents were analyzed for THCA-A, THC and cannabinol (CBN) applying methanolic extraction and a fully validated LC-MS/MS method. For comparison, a part of the samples was also analyzed applying alkaline hydrolysis followed by liquid/liquid extraction and GC/MS or by GC-HS-SPME. Results In all but one of the samples, the concentration of THCAA was higher than the concentration of THC and in 14 cases no THC could be detected despite the presence of THCA-A, suggesting that in almost all cases a significant external contamination had occurred. Within-family comparison showed a higher THCA-A/THC ratio in hair of children than in the hair of their consuming caregivers. Mean and median of this ratio over all hair samples as 6.7 and 4.2 with a large variation between samples. Application of the different methods clearly showed that the choice of methodology has a strong influence on the quantitative results obtained, mainly because of decarboxylation of THCA-A during sample processing, which may lead to artifactually elevated THC concentrations. Conclusion The findings suggest that the major part of the cannabinoids detected in the hair samples from these children arose from an external contamination through “passive” transfer by e.g. contaminated fingers or surfaces and not from inhalation or deposition from side stream smoke.

Simultaneous determination of 18 abused opioids and metabolites in human hair using LC–MS/MS and illegal opioids abuse proven by hair analysis

Natural and synthetic opioids have efficient analgesic activity but can also be addictive. Thus, the determination of opioids and their metabolites in biological specimens is of interest in clinical and forensic toxicology laboratories. The analysis of drugs in hair provides valuable information on previous chronic drug use and has been successfully applied to the diagnosis of drug abuse, tolerance, compliance and gestational drug exposure. Despite the abuse of prescription opioids along with heroin and other illegal opiates, few studies have been conducted on the simultaneous determination of the broad range of opioids covering those drugs in hair. In the present study, an analytical method for the simultaneous detection in hair of 18 opioids and metabolites considered to have a high abuse risk based on the results of urine drug screening was established and validated using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) for the purpose of clinical and forensic applications. The drugs and metabolites were extracted from hair using methanol and analyzed using LC–MS/MS. The validation results proved that the method was selective, accurate and precise with acceptable linearity within calibration ranges. No significant variation was observed by different sources of matrices. The limits of detection and the limits of quantification ranged from 0.05 to 0.25ng/10mg hair and from 0.05 to 0.5ng/10mg hair, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied to 15 hair samples from opioids users. This method will be very useful for monitoring the inappropriate use of opioid drugs.

Deposition of JWH-018, JWH-073 and their metabolites in hair and effect of hair pigmentation

Analysis of drugs in hair is often used as a routine method to obtain detailed information about drug ingestion. However, few studies have been conducted on deposition of synthetic cannabinoids and metabolites in hair. The first purpose of this study was to establish and validate an analytical method for detection of JWH-018, JWH-073, and their metabolites in hair, by use of UHPLC-MS-MS, for forensic application. The second purpose was to investigate the distribution of synthetic cannabinoids metabolites in hair and the effect of hair pigmentation, by use of an animal model. For this, JWH-073 was chosen as a representative synthetic cannabinoid. Finally, the developed method was applied to hair samples from 18 individuals suspected of synthetic cannabinoids use. JWH-018, JWH-073, and their metabolites were extracted from hair with methanol. The extract was then filtered and analyzed by UHPLC-MS-MS with an electrospray ion source in positive-ionization mode. Validation proved the method was selective, sensitive, accurate, and precise, with acceptable linearity within the calibration ranges. No significant variations were observed when different sources of both human and rat hair were used. The animal study demonstrated that JWH-073 N-COOH M was the major metabolite of JWH-073 in rat hair, and hair pigmentation did not have a significant effect on incorporation of JWH-073 and its metabolites into hair. In the analysis of 18 authentic hair samples, only JWH-018, JWH-018 N-5-OH M, and JWH-073 were detected, with wide variation in concentrations.

The role of variations in growth rate and sample collection on interpreting results of segmental analyses of hair

Segmental analysis of hair for drugs, metabolites, and poisons has been widely reported in the scientific literature over the past two decades. Two fundamental assumptions in interpreting results of such analyses are (1) an average linear growth rate of head hair of 1cm/month and (2) that sample collections occur with the hair being cut directly next to the scalp. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the variability associated with growth rate of human head hair, as well as the ability to uniformly collect hair next to the scalp. The results were used to determine how these factors affect the interpretation of results generated in segmental analysis of hair. A thorough literature review was conducted to assess the range of linear growth of human head hair from the vertex posterior and occipital regions. The results were compiled to establish the average (1.06cm/month), as well as the range of possible growth rates of head hair. The range was remarkable and suggests that conclusions based on the 1-cm/month growth rate could be significantly skewed. A separate study was undertaken to evaluate collection of hair next to the scalp. Fourteen individuals were provided oral instructions, as well as a written standard collection procedure for head hair. The experience levels among the collectors varied from novice to expert. Each individual collected hair from dolls with short- and long-hair. Immediately following each collection, the sampling area was evaluated to determine how close to the scalp the cuts were made, as well as the variability in the lengths of hair remaining at the sampled area. From our collection study, we determined that 0.8±0.1cm of hair was left on the scalp after cutting. When taking into account the amount of hair left on the scalp after collecting, the use of a growth rate of 1.06cm/month, and the assumption that it takes two weeks for newly formed hair in the follicle to reach the scalp, we find that the first 1-cm segment of hair typically corresponds to hair formed 1.3±0.2 to 2.2±0.4 months (95% confidence) earlier. The impact of these findings as it relates to the corresponding time for each additional segment is demonstrated. As a result, we recommend that hair collection be delayed 8 weeks after a suspected ingestion to ensure that the sample fully represents the exposure period. The results of this study suggest that the variability in the growth rate of human head hair, as well as the inconsistent collection of hair, significantly affect the interpretation of results from segmental analysis of hair.

Hair analysis for drugs in driver's license regranting. A Swedish pilot study

When being convicted for petty drug offence or driving under the influence of drugs in Sweden, the driving license may be suspended. To regain the license, the person has to prove that he or she has been drug free during an observation period. This is controlled by urine samples taken at several occasions. However, the risk of manipulation and the risk of false negative urine samples are high. In addition, many people find it difficult or embarrassing to urinate when observed. Hair sampling might therefore be a welcome option to this procedure, with its easy sampling and minimal risk of manipulation. The longer detection window may also provide better information to the physician. The aim of this work was to evaluate if clients preferred hair samples to urine and to investigate practical and interpretive problems or advantages with hair samples. Ninety-nine hair samples and 198 urine samples were collected from 84 clients during the 12 month study period. Hair samples were divided into either one segment (0–3 cm) or two segments (0–3 and 3–6 cm) depending on the length. The hair samples were screened with LC–MS–MS for 20 drugs and confirmation of positive results were performed with GC–MS or LC–MS–MS. The results were compared to urine samples taken at two occasions during the observation period. To cover the timeframe of the urine samples hair was collected 2 weeks after the second sample. The urine samples were analysed with immunochemical screening and positive results confirmed with GC–MS or LC–MS–MS. Seventy-four clients presented with negative results in both urine and hair. Hair analysis identified illegal drugs at seven different occasions whereas urine failed to identify any illegal drugs. However the thresholds used may still be too high to find sporadic use as clients that admitted to use drugs sporadically presented with drug concentrations lower than the agreed thresholds but above the limit of detection. This implicates that the physician must have an understanding and knowledge of the limitations of the screening methods used. Another important outcome was that the clients approved of hair sampling considering it a better means to prove their drug abstinence. In addition, both the clients and the clinicians thought hair sampling easier than urine sampling. We believe that hair analysis can offer several advantages compared to urine analysis for clinicians working with driving license regranting.

The use of hair as a toxicological tool in DFC casework

When drugging related offences are cited, most people think of sexual assault. However, the law covers any crime committed whilst the complainant is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, i.e., the use of a drug to modify a person's behaviour for criminal gain. The case types encountered include robbery, blackmail and of course sexual offences. Hair analysis for drugs is now well established in Forensic Toxicology. Its use as an analytical tool in workplace testing, post-mortem toxicology and criminal cases is expanding both in the U.K. and worldwide, and it is now widely accepted as an alternative or complimentary matrix for these cases. This paper will provide a brief overview of hair testing in cases of Drug Facilitated Crime stressing the importance of timely sample collection. Its usefulness in cases of this type will be highlighted through case examples.

Chronic drug use confirmed by hair analysis: Its role in understanding both the medical cause of death and the circumstances surrounding the death

Analysis of hair for drugs is now a well established technique. It is being used increasingly in crime investigation but seldom in routine Coroner’s toxicology. Hair analysis is the only method of obtaining a reliable drug history for the weeks or months prior to death. Between 2004 and 2006 from the cases reported to HM Coroner, hair was submitted for analysis in addition to the routine specimens for 286 selected cases. These were all cases where drug use was thought to be involved in the death. The usefulness of the data from hair analysis was evaluated along with the data from the conventional samples. The types of cases were identified where hair analysis provided valuable supporting evidence. It was found that reliable information concerning long-term drug use was important in a wide range of cases including: – demonstrating a history of drug use or lack of it, demonstrating tolerance or lack of it, compliance with medication, death due to long-term cocaine use and its role in depression/suicide, sudden unexplained death, and excited delirium. The cases types are illustrated by reference to individual cases and the implications of the findings discussed. The study demonstrated that hair analysis can provide vital evidence in a wide range of cases reported to HM Coroner. This evidence can be invaluable to the pathologist, Coroner, and the family of the deceased in understanding both the medical cause of death and the circumstances surrounding the death.

乱用薬物の毛髪分析

乱用薬物の毛髪分析