Anabolic Steroids -- Analysis of Dosage Forms from Selected Case Studies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Scientific Services Bureau

• NCJ Number: 131254
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 36 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1991) Pages: 1079-1088
• Author(s): P D Colman; E A'Hearn; R W Taylor; S D Le
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Test/Measurement
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Four selected case studies are presented as examples of anabolic steroids analysis in the forensic laboratory in accordance with the California Uniform Controlled Substances Act.

Abstract

General analytic schemes are offered for the analysis of the mismarked steroid tablet, the unmarked steroid tablet, injectable vegetable oils, and the detection and identification of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). The methodology does not require expensive instrumentation and expensive technology, but employs established gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric procedures. Methods of sample preparation are not complex and require the same times for analysis as many other controlled substances. Alkaline hydrolysis of 17 esterified steroids for the identification of a prototype anabolic steroid is concluded to be permissible under California law. The Ouchterlony double diffusion immunoassay is used for HCG analysis. In addition to its simplicity and low cost, it is a sensitive and specific assay of value in the forensic laboratory. 10 figures and 7 references (Author abstract modified)