Examination of Firearms Review: 2007 to 2010 - Interpol

users, obtaining positive results in all cases, using GC-MS with a linear range
of 0.3-10 ng/mg [136].
An LC-MS/MS method was developed for the determination of ketamine (and
its metabolite norketamine) and some amphetamines in human hair [137].
Using 20 mg hair, the LOD and LOQ were 0.1 and 0.5 ng/mg, respectively, for
ketamine (K) and amphetamines. Another LC-MS/MS method for the
simultaneous identification and quantification of amphetamines, diazepam,
cocaine, their metabolites, and opiates from hair was developed using a single
SPE method, with LODs between 0.02 and 0.09 ng/mg [138]. Pulverized hair
samples were extracted with methanol, and the supernatant injected into the
LC/MS/MS system for the simultaneous determination of opiates, cocaine, and
their metabolites [139]. The LODs were 10 pg/mg for morphine, codeine and
6-acetylmorphine (6-AM); and 1 pg/mg for cocaine and BE, and the method
was successfully applied to the analysis of 79 authentic hair samples.
A GC-MS method for determination of ketamine, amphetamines, and opiates
in hair was developed [140]. With 25 mg hair, and following derivatization with
heptafluorobutyric acid anhydride, the LODs were in the range of 0.03-0.08
ng/mg, and the LOQs were 0.05-0.1 ng/mg. Using GC/NCI-MS, the
sensitivities of amphetamine, MA, MDA, MDMA, MDEA, morphine, and
codeine were improved from 15- to 60-fold (and 200- and 2000-fold for K and
NK) when compared with the EI method [141]. The analysis of cocaine and
benzoylecgonine in hair, using GC/MS after derivatization with a mixture of
N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide with 5% chlorotrimethylsilane,
was reported [142]. Using a sample size of 20 mg hair, the LODs and LOQs
were 20 and 50 pg/mg for cocaine, and 15 and 50 pg/mg for benzoylecgonine,
respectively. With the use of a commercial chiral derivatizing agent,
trifluoroacetyl-prolyl chloride, chiral separation of amphetamines, MA, MDMA
and MDEA in hair samples was achieved by GC/MS operated in the SIM mode,
with LODs in the range of 0.1-0.2 ng/mg [143].
As with other alternative specimens, ascertaining the time of exposure and the
extent of drug use using hair test results is difficult due to the complicated
disposition mechanism(s) and limited research available, particularly studies in
controlled clinical environments. Hair results from MA abusers in 2070 hair
samples were statistically evaluated [144]. The low, medium and high ranges
of MA were 0.5–4.2, 4.2–24.5, and 24.5–608.9 ng/mg, and those of
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