NCJ Number
141731
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 38 Issue: 2 Dated: (March 1993) Pages: 272-284
Date Published
1993
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study attempted to determine which metabolites were present in hair samples of cocaine and phencyclidine (PCP) users, to explore the use of thermal desorption tandem mass spectrometry to eliminate the problems associated with digestion of hair, and to demonstrate that tandem mass spectrometry can be used to analyze single hairs for drugs of abuse.
Abstract
Hairs from six cocaine users were examined and the amount of cocaine and its ratio to the metabolites were not correlated to the pattern of use. In PCP users, only PCP, but no metabolites, were detected. The results showed that hair absorbs and tightly binds PCP from aqueous solutions, mimicking the absorption of PCP by the body. Passive exposure experiments showed that PCP may be absorbed into the hair of nonusers and become tightly bound. If these findings are replicated, analysts will have to screen hair for the parent drug rather than metabolites. Until that time, interpretation about the presence of a drug or its metabolites in an individual's hair must be undertaken with caution as the presence of a compound may indicate only exposure rather than use. 1 table, 8 figures, and 22 references