ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 7

Hair Analysis: Self-Reported Use of “Speed” and “Ecstasy” Compared with Laboratory Findings
Allen, DL
University of Glasgow,

Cooper, GAA
University of Glasgow,

Smith, ID
Consultant psychiatrist, Gartnavel Royal Hospital,

Oliver, JS
University of Glasgow,

Ditton, J
Faculty of Law, The University of Sheffield and The Scottish Centre for Criminology, Charing Cross Clinic,

Scott, KS
University of Glasgow,

(Received 10 February 1999; accepted 7 July 1999)

Abstract

Drug use histories were collected from 100 subjects recruited from the “dance scene” in and around Glasgow, Scotland. In addition, each subject donated a hair sample which was analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) for amphetamine (AP), methamphetamine (MA), 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MD MA) and 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA).

The hair samples were analyzed in two 6 cm segments or in full, ranging from 1.5 to 12 cm depending on the length of the hair. Approximately 10 mg of hair was ground to a fine powder before treatment with β-glucuronidase/aryl sulfatase. A solid-phase extraction procedure was carried out followed by derivatization with pentafluoropropionic anhydride (PFPA). All extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).

Of the 139 segments analyzed, 77 (52.5%) were positive for at least one of the five amphetamines. The drug concentrations found in the hair were compared with the self-reported drug histories. A concordance of greater than 50% was found between the self-report data and levels detected in hair. However, no correlation was found between the reported number of “ecstasy” tablets consumed and the drug levels detected in hair.

An increase in the average drug levels measured was observed from low to high use (number of “ecstasy” tablets/month). A large number of false negatives and a low number of false positives were observed.

Keywords:
forensic science, hair analysis, self-report, “speed”, “ecstasy”, solid-phase extraction

Paper ID: JFS14694J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14694J
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