FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY - Bio Medical Forensics

scientists, as well as the importance of forensic laboratory data. The
presentation will also contribute to a clearer understanding of varying
dimensions and components of the trafficking, diversion, and abuse of
methadone and buprenorphine.
The diversion and abuse of methadone is a key issue for United
States drug control agencies, as is the expanding non-medical use of
buprenorphine, an alternative to methadone treatment for heroin
addiction. The heightened level of concern associated with these drugs
is demonstrated in part by the frequency by which methadone and
buprenorphine have been obtained by law enforcement agencies and
analyzed by our Nation’s crime laboratories over the past six years. Data
from DEA’s National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS)
will be presented on methadone and buprenorphine, two synthetic opioid
analgesics. NFLIS data represent instances where these drugs were
seized by law enforcement and analyzed by forensic laboratories. From
2003 to 2008, the number of methadone and buprenorphine items
reported by state and local laboratories increased significantly in the
United States (p 0.995, recoveries > 85% were obtained. Limits of detection/
quantification of 0.1 and 0.25 ng/mL, respectively were acheived.
Result: Of the 10 oral swabs where oral swabs taken 1 hour after
administration, 9 were found to be postive (THC). The levels of THC
ranged from 0.5 ng to 2.5 ng/ mL. None of the swabs contained the
THC-acid metabolite.
Conclusions: Based on data presented, the use of oral swabs may
be used to extract, confirm, and quantify low levels of THC. The
employment of both F-SPE and fast LC-MS/MS shows that this
procedure can be performed efficiently and rapidly, which is to the
benefit of all scientists in forensic toxicology.
THC, F-SPE, LC-MS/MS
K6 A Retrospective Comparison of Blood- and
Breath- Alcohol Results in Wisconsin
Impaired Drivers 2001-2007
Patrick M. Harding, BS*, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene,
Toxicology Section, PO Box 7996, Madison, WI 53707-7996; and Rod G.
Gullberg, MPA, Washington State Patrol, 811 East Roanoke, Seattle, WA
98102
After attending this presentation, attendees will better understand
the relationship between breath- and blood-alcohol measurements and be
better able to assess the validity of breath alcohol results as applied to a
population of suspected impaired drivers.
This presentation will impact the forensic community by providing
useful data by which to assess claims of breath alcohol testing
unreliability as well as providing practical data relating the theoretical
blood:breath alcohol ratio in the target population of impaired drivers.
Laws in most jurisdictions define illegal per se alcohol impaired
driving offenses in terms of both breath and blood alcohol
concentrations. Even so, the relationship between breath and blood
alcohol results is still raised as an issue in court cases and a comparison
of the two can yield insight into the prevalence of falsely elevated breath
alcohol results, as is frequently alleged. In this retrospective study data
is compared from drivers arrested for impaired driving offenses in the
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