Comprehensive Drug Screening in Blood for Detecting Abused Drugs or Drugs Potentially Hazardous for Traffic Safety

• NCJ Number: 161124
• Journal: Forensic Science International Volume: 77 Issue: 3 Dated: (February 9, 1996) Pages: 191-210
• Author(s): P Lillsunde; L Michelson; T Forsstrom; T Korte; E Schultz; K Ariniemi; M Portman; M-L Sihvonen; T Seppala
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 20 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Technical)
• Language: English
• Country: Ireland

Annotation

A comprehensive drug screening procedure for detecting drugs in blood samples of automobile drivers suspected of driving under the influence of drugs is presented.

Abstract

Amphetamines, cannabinoids, opioids, cocaine, and benzodiazepines were screened by an immunological system after acetone precipitation. Gas chromatography was used to screen and quantitate basic, neutral, and acidic drugs. Free amino groups of basic drugs were derivatized with heptafluorobutyric anhydride. Analysis was performed using a dual channel gas chromatograph combined with a nitrogen phosphorus and an electron capture detector. Phenyltrimethylammonium hydroxide was employed as a methylathing agent for acidic substances before analysis with a gas chromatograph connected to a nitrogen phosphorus detector. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used as a common confirmation method. Tetrahydrocannabinol was quantitated after bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide derivatization, opiates after pentafluoropropionic anhydride derivatization, and benzoylecgonine after pentafluoropropionic anhydride and pentafluoropropanol derivatization. Excluding benzodiazpines, which were confirmed with a gas chromatograph connected to a nitrogen phosphorus and an electron capture detector, other basic drugs and acidic drugs were confirmed after the same derivatization procedures as in screening methods. Alcohols were quantitated in triplicate by gas chromagraphy using three different column types. The authors conclude that, although urine is the most important specimen for screening abused drugs, it has only limited use in forensic toxicology. The system described in the current article is more useful in analyzing a wide range of substances, including illicit drugs, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, antidepressants, and phenothiazenes in forensic samples when urine is not available. 41 references, 9 tables, and 6 figures