FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY - Bio Medical Forensics

Conclusion: These preliminary data suggest that the collection of
structural information from microscopic examination of hair may allow
for the observed differences in hair morphology to be applied to
differences in the permeability of hair to drugs. The information from
this study may be useful to improve laboratory procedures employed by
hair drug testing laboratories.
Hair Morphology, Drug and Dye Incorporation, Microscopy
K38 Analysis of Cocaine Analytes in Human
Hair II: Evaluation of Different Hair Color
and Ethnicity Types Following Surface
Contamination and Laboratory
Decontamination
Jeri D. Ropero-Miller, PhD*, and Cynthia Lewallen, MS, RTI
International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, Building 3, 3040 Cornwallis Road,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709; Nichole D. Bynum, MS, Center for
Forensic Sciences, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, Building 3,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709; Meredith Meaders, BS, RTI
International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, Building 3, Research Triangle Park,
NC 27709; Jordan N. Espenshade, MSFS, 1420 Centre Avenue, Apartment
103, Pittsburgh, PA 15282; and John M. Mitchell, PhD, Michael R. Baylor,
PhD, and Peter R. Stout, PhD, Center for Forensic Sciences, RTI
International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
After attending this presentation, attendees will understand: (1) the
in vitro model of drug surface contamination used to investigate cocaine
analyte concentrations and ratios in hair; (2) the permeability of hairs and
potential variations in drug absorbance in different hair color and types;
and (3) how processes and procedures used by hair drug testing
laboratories may affect drug analyte concentrations in hair.
This presentation will impact the forensic science community by
directly affecting policy implementation for forensic applications of hair
testing, such as the investigation of drug facilitated crimes and
workplace drug testing.
Introduction: The mechanism(s) of permeability of hair to drugs
are not fully understood. Research data suggest that hair color may
affect cocaine’s incorporation into and retention in the hair matrix. The
possibility that because of hair color one individual may be more likely
to test positive for a drug than another, despite both having ingested or
having been exposed to the same amount of a drug, greatly concerns
policymakers and forensic practitioners. The potential for such bias
must be understood to ensure the correct interpretation of results and the
appropriate use of hair testing. If it is shown that hair color influences
drug permeability, current drug testing methods may need to be
improved in order to take these variations into account and remove any
potential for bias and false-positive results. The goal of this study was
to evaluate cocaine analytes in hair of different color (e.g., light, dark)
and ethnic origin (e.g., Caucasian, African American) after the hair has
been subjected to surface contamination with cocaine and subsequent
laboratory decontamination.
Methods: The in vitro surface contamination study design was
modified to a shorter collection time, but generally followed a previously
published method by Stout et al. 2006. Briefly, verified drug-free head
hair samples (Caucasian light and dark hair types, African American;
n=12 each) were collected under IRB protocol, contaminated with
cocaine HCl powder, shampooed daily for 8 weeks with aliquots
removed weekly for decontamination (two washing protocols: methanol
and extensive phosphate buffer) and cocaine analyte testing by
LC/MS/MS. Quantitative analytical procedures for the determination of
COC, BE, CE, and NCOC in hair were performed on an Agilent
Technologies 1200 Series liquid chromatography system coupled to a
6410 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, operated in positive ESI
mode. For confirmation, two transitions were monitored and one ion
ratio was determined which was acceptable if within 20% of the ratio of
known calibration standards. The limits of quantitation (LOQ) for COC
was 25 pg/mg and BE, CE, and NCOC were 2.5 pg/mg. The upper limit
of linearity was 55,000 pg/mg for cocaine and 1,000 pg/mg for all other
analytes. Between run imprecision for COC at 150 pg/mg was less than
3% and at 15 pg/mg for all other analytes was less than 8%.
Results: While previous cocaine surface contamination studies
were designed to provide an estimate of interindividual variation, this
study included sufficient samples to determine differences between
ethnic groups or hair color with statistical significance. The preliminary
data suggests there was no apparent simple relationship between
concentration and hair color by this in vitro cocaine surface
contamination model.
Conclusion: The results of this study along with continued studies
may influence how hair testing results are interpreted, and could have a
significant impact on whether national agencies use hair testing.
Hair, Cocaine Analytes, LC/MS/MS
K39 Investigation of the Effect of Vinegar on
Oral Fluid Drug Testing: Effects on
Immunoassay Screening
Eva M. Reichardt, MSc*, Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus, Fern
Barrow, Poole, BH12 5BB, UNITED KINGDOM; Dene Baldwin, PhD,
Concateno, 92 Milton Park, Oxfordshire, Abingdon, OX14 4RY, UNITED
KINGDOM; and Michael D. Osselton, Bournemouth University, Fern
Barrow, Talbot Campus, Poole, BH12 5BB, UNITED KINGDOM
After attending this presentation, attendees will learn about: (1) the
effects of different types of vinegars on the Orasure Intercept®, and
microplate screen; and (2) the new Concateno Certus oral fluid
collection devices with homogenous immunoassay screen.
This presentation will impact the forensic science community
deomonstrating how the Orasure Intercept® oral fluid collection device
exhibited many oral fluid false positive after the consumption of various
types of vinegar.
Introduction: Oral fluid (OF) drug testing has become
increasingly popular during recent years as an alternative matrix for
drugs of abuse (DOA) testing. OF is simple and easy to collect and
offers a non-invasive means of sample collection that can be applied for
use in the work place, hospitals, drug treatment centers, and roadside.
Although numerous studies have been published in relation to OF drug
detection and identification, little work has been undertaken to
investigate the effects of substances. In a separate study, several
different foods and beverages and the result from this indicative study
inferred the possibility that vinegar could cause an effect on an
immunoassay screen were evaluated. This study was conducted to look
at this effect in greater detail. This study investigates the effects of
different types of vinegars on the Orasure Intercept® and microplate
screen and the new Concateno Certus OF collection devices with
homogenous immunoassay screen.
Method: Non-drug using human volunteers were asked to swirl
5mL of selected vinegars around the mouth. These included malt, white
distilled, balsamic, red wine, and white wine vinegar. After
consumption, OF was collected using the Orasure Intercept® or the new
Concateno Certus OF collection devices a) immediately after mouth
emptying and b) 10, 20 and 30 minutes after mouth emptying. Each
volunteer provided samples using both devices for all vinegars tested.
The volume, pH and time for collection of samples were recorded. OF
samples were subsequently analyzed using two different immunoassays
for Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Methadone and Opiates.
Intercept® samples were analyzed using Orasure microplates and
Certus samples were analyzed using the Concateno homogeneous
assays to observe whether the substances affected the immunoassay
screening systems.
21 * Presenting Author