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Hart ED, Vikingsson S, Winecker RE, Evans AL, Cone EJ, Mitchell JM, Hayes ED, Flegel RR. Performance of Hair Testing for Cocaine Use-Comparison of Five Laboratories Using Blind Reference Specimens. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 47:154-161. [PMID: 36039690 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkac066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare results from five commercial hair testing laboratories conducting workplace drug testing with regard to bias, precision, selectivity and decontamination efficiency. Nine blind hair specimens, including cocaine-positive drug user specimens (some contaminated with methamphetamine) and negative specimens contaminated with cocaine, were submitted in up to five replicates to five different laboratories. All laboratories correctly identified cocaine in all specimens from drug users. For an undamaged hair specimen from a cocaine user, within-laboratory Coefficients of Variation (CVs) of 5-22% (median 8%) were reported, showing that it is possible to produce a homogenous proficiency testing sample from drug user hair. Larger CVs were reported for specimens composed of blended hair (up to 29%) and curly/damaged hair (19-67%). Quantitative results appeared to be method-dependent, and the reported cocaine concentrations varied up to 5-fold between the laboratories, making interlaboratory comparisons difficult. All laboratories reported at least one positive result in specimens contaminated with cocaine powder, followed by sweat and shampoo treatments. Benzoylecgonine, norcocaine, cocaethylene and hydroxylated cocaine metabolites were all detected in cocaine powder-contaminated specimens. This indicates that current industry standards for analyzing and reporting positive cocaine results are not completely effective at identifying external contamination. Metabolite ratios between meta- or para-hydroxy-cocaine and cocaine were 6- and 10-fold lower in contaminated specimens compared to those observed in cocaine user specimens, supporting their potential use in distinguishing samples positive due to contamination and drug use.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Dale Hart
- Center for Forensic Science, RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Rd., Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Svante Vikingsson
- Center for Forensic Science, RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Rd., Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Ruth E Winecker
- Center for Forensic Science, RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Rd., Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Amy L Evans
- Center for Forensic Science, RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Rd., Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Edward J Cone
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5510 Nathan Shock Dr., Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - John M Mitchell
- Center for Forensic Science, RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Rd., Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Eugene D Hayes
- Division of Workplace Programs, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, USA
| | - Ronald R Flegel
- Division of Workplace Programs, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, USA
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Funes DSH, Bonilla K, Baudelet M, Bridge C. Morphological and chemical profiling for forensic hair examination: A review of quantitative methods. Forensic Sci Int 2023; 346:111622. [PMID: 37001429 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Within the past two decades, there have been many studies for quantitative analysis on human hair samples. Microscopical and chemical analysis techniques have been used to analyze various aspects of hair regarding biological, chemical, anthropological, cosmetic, and forensic applications. Studies have attempted to develop quantification methods to increase the evidentiary value of hair in forensic casework. The literature reviewed in this paper provides some of the current techniques used for forensic examinations and quantitative methods. Although microscopical analysis has been scrutinized in the past, using chemical and microscopical techniques can provide a myriad of information. The extraction of DNA from hair provides high-value evidence; however, it may not be readily available and may yield inconclusive results. Hair analysis can be used for many forensic applications such as comparison, toxicology, and exposure analysis. In this article, we will review published research material regarding chemical and microscopical techniques for human hair analysis. Aspects considered for this review were the sample size requirement for analysis and the destructive nature of the instrumental method. This review will focus on both macro and micro quantitative methods for human hair analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S H Funes
- Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Bonilla
- Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Mathieu Baudelet
- Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA; National Center for Forensic Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA; CREOL - The College of Optics and Photonics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA.
| | - Candice Bridge
- Department of Chemistry, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA; National Center for Forensic Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA.
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3
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Spear B, DeCaprio AP. Evaluation of extraction parameters in authentic hair reference material using statistical design of experiments. J Forensic Sci 2022; 67:1607-1616. [PMID: 35506703 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Optimal methods for forensic hair analysis are often debated, especially regarding extraction parameters that include incubation time, temperature, and size of extracted hair particles. To assess hair pretreatment parameters for analysis of drugs of abuse, the statistical technique known as Design of Experiments (DoE) is useful. DoE evaluates both the individual roles and the combinatorial associations between multiple variables and overall drug extraction efficiency. Previous reports have focused on incorporated hair reference material (HRM), which is prepared in the lab at a specified drug concentration. In contrast, authentic HRM, which is prepared by diluting hair from drug users with blank hair to achieve specific drug concentrations, is an effective matrix for standardization of forensic hair testing, since the drug is incorporated into the hair matrix via uptake from systemic distribution. In the present study, extraction parameters for authentic HRM samples containing multiple drugs (diazepam, alprazolam, cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine) and metabolites (nordiazepam, cocaethylene, norcocaine, hydroxycocaine, and 6-monoacetylmorphine) were optimized based on recovery using a 23 full factorial DoE matrix. The factors evaluated included extraction solvent volume/sample weight ratio (12.5 or 25 μL/mg), particle size (pulverized or cut into 1 mm snippets), and extraction time (2 or 24 h) using solvent swelling. DoE analysis revealed significant differences in the optimal combinations of extraction parameters for maximum recovery. However, for the majority of drugs and metabolites, the most effective extraction method consisted of pulverizing hair prior to a 2-h extraction with a 12.5 μL/mg extraction solvent volume/sample weight ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna Spear
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Anthony P DeCaprio
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA.,International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
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Hair analysis interpretation in post-mortem situations: Key considerations and proposals to overcome main hurdles. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2022; 56:102032. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2022.102032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Ramírez Fernández MDM, Wille SMR, Yegles M, Samyn N. Evaluation of decontamination procedures for drug testing in undamaged vs damaged hair. Drug Test Anal 2022; 14:1155-1165. [PMID: 35148467 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although substances incorporated by ingestion are strongly bound to hair, their loss may occur if aggressive decontamination procedures are applied, especially in highly damaged/porous hair. AIMS Evaluation of cleaning procedures using hair samples with different porosity obtained from ethanol or drug users (cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, methadone, fentanyl, tramadol, diazepam, buprenorphine, dihydrocodeine, citalopram and trazodone). The effect of washing time and multiple wash steps with water and methanol were evaluated. METHODS Hair samples (n=16) were selected and evaluated according to: a) the drug pattern consumption, b) available amount, and c) hair porosity (c1 'cosmetic treatment', c2: storage time). Six of them were soaked with an aqueous deuterated analogue solution. The samples were cut in 1 cm segments and homogenized. All hair samples were then decontaminated one or six times with 1.5 mL of water or methanol during 1, 5, 15, 30, 60 and/or 90 min (n=1 to 3/sample, depending on the available amount of hair). Hair extracts were then cleaned up via an SPE or LLE extraction, while the washes were evaporated to dryness. All were thereafter reconstituted and analysed with routine UPLC-MS/MS methods. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Although concentrations of parent drugs and/or metabolites presented a negative trend along the washing time with methanol (up to 80%), the compounds were relatively well retained in hair even after a 90 min wash in most samples. Their retention would depend mostly on the hair nature rather than their physicochemical properties (whether incorporated by ingestion and/or from external contamination). Moreover, parent drugs and/or metabolites were detected in the washes in most samples, and the ratio between hair and washes decreased along the washing time. More than 50% of the deuterated analogues soaked into hair were still present after the different washing steps. CONCLUSION Generally, the substances analysed were well retained in hair samples after different washing steps with water or methanol. Losses were observed more frequently for long term stored hair samples, after decontamination with methanol for more than 30 min. Therefore, prolonged or repeated cleaning with methanol should be avoided in general procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah M R Wille
- Federal Public Service Justice, National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Michel Yegles
- Laboratoire National de Santé, Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - Nele Samyn
- Federal Public Service Justice, National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology, Brussels, Belgium
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Mapping the Chemistry of Hair Strands by Mass Spectrometry Imaging-A Review. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26247522. [PMID: 34946604 PMCID: PMC8706971 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26247522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hair can record chemical information reflecting our living conditions, and, therefore, strands of hair have become a potent analytical target within the biological and forensic sciences. While early efforts focused on analyzing complete hair strands in bulk, high spatial resolution mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has recently come to the forefront of chemical hair-strand analysis. MSI techniques offer a localized analysis, requiring fewer de-contamination procedures per default and making it possible to map the distribution of analytes on and within individual hair strands. Applying the techniques to hair samples has proven particularly useful in investigations quantifying the exposure to, and uptake of, toxins or drugs. Overall, MSI, combined with optimized sample preparation protocols, has improved precision and accuracy for identifying several elemental and molecular species in single strands of hair. Here, we review different sample preparation protocols and use cases with a view to make the methodology more accessible to researchers outside of the field of forensic science. We conclude that—although some challenges remain, including contamination issues and matrix effects—MSI offers unique opportunities for obtaining highly resolved spatial information of several compounds simultaneously across hair surfaces.
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Erne R, Baumgartner MR, Kraemer T. Insights into the Decontamination of Cocaine-Positive Hair Samples. J Anal Toxicol 2021; 45:713-721. [PMID: 33002114 PMCID: PMC8363799 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkaa143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A highly discussed step in hair sample preparation for forensic analytics is the applied decontamination. The here presented investigations aim to gain insight and give recommendations on how to conduct this decontamination for the analysis of cocaine consumption in hair. Key insights were gained from the investigation of cocaine consumer hair, which was artificially contaminated in a humid atmosphere with 13C6 labelled cocaine and from cocaine powder contaminated hair. Several decontamination protocols were investigated, whereby the usage of a decontamination protocol consisting of multiple short repetitive washes allowed to visualize the wash out of (13C6-) cocaine. Multiple methanol washes proved to be an efficient and simple decontamination approach. Our findings showed that decontamination protocols can successfully wash out recent cocaine contaminations. They were observed to be rather quickly washed out, whereas cocaine from consumption or “older” cocaine contaminations were shown to eliminate both at a constant rate (from inner hair compartments). Thus, the usage of decontamination protocols to differentiate between consumption and contamination was shown to be limited. As contamination can happen any time at any level, only the application of elaborated decision trees, based on cocaine metabolite ratios and thresholds, can provide the distinction between consumption and contamination. Thus, the authors highly recommend the usage of such tools on all hair samples analyzed for cocaine consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Erne
- Department of Forensic Pharmacology & Toxicology, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine (ZIFM), University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Markus R Baumgartner
- Department of Forensic Pharmacology & Toxicology, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine (ZIFM), University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Kraemer
- Department of Forensic Pharmacology & Toxicology, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine (ZIFM), University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
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Aijala JC, Wu W, DeCaprio AP. Assessing Hair Decontamination Protocols for Diazepam, Heroin, Cocaine and Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol by Statistical Design of Experiments. J Anal Toxicol 2021; 45:498-505. [PMID: 32852033 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkaa110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Prior to toxicological analysis, hair as a matrix requires pre-treatment measures including decontamination, homogenization and extraction. Decontamination is performed to differentiate between drug present from superficial deposition and drug incorporated from systemic distribution following ingestion. There are many methods for decontamination of hair samples, mostly developed by empirically using a traditional "one factor at a time" approach, in which one independent variable at a time is changed to observe the effect on the dependent variable. The goal of the present work was to compare the efficacy of decontamination protocols using statistical "design of experiments" (DoE), which allows for analysis of multiple variables and interactions within a single experiment. Decontamination parameters included identity of aqueous and organic wash solutions, number of sequential aqueous and organic washes, order of aqueous and organic washes, and duration of each wash. DoE studies were completed to identify optimal decontamination conditions for four abused drugs with varying physiochemical properties. For this purpose, drug-free human hair was externally contaminated with diazepam, heroin, cocaine or Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Each analyte was found to have a unique set of decontamination conditions that were most effective. These included three 30-min washes with methanol followed by three with 1% sodium dodecyl sulfide for diazepam, three 30-s washes with dichloromethane followed by one with water for heroin, one 30-s wash with 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate followed by three with dichloromethane for cocaine and three 30-min washes with water followed by one with methanol for Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol. The results provide proof-of-principle for a DoE approach to identify effective parameters for hair decontamination for a physicochemically diverse group of drugs. The major advantage of DoE is to elucidate combinations of parameters that result in effective removal of surface contamination, a goal that would be challenging to accomplish using a one factor at a time approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennett Chenevert Aijala
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, 11200 SW Eighth Street, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Wensong Wu
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Florida International University, 11200 SW Eighth Street, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Anthony P DeCaprio
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, 11200 SW Eighth Street, Miami, FL 33199, USA
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Kintz P, Ameline A, Raul JS. Human hair tests to document drug environmental contamination: Application in a family law case involving N,N-dimethyltryptamine. Drug Test Anal 2020; 13:447-450. [PMID: 33095975 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
For 40 years, hair tests have been presented as the best approach to document long-term consumption of a drug. This unique property has found numerous applications in clinical, forensic, and occupational toxicology. However, since the beginning of its implementation in biology, external contamination, with an associated risk of false positive result, has been presented as the key in the final interpretation. Evidence of environmental contamination and subsequent health issues can be the task of any toxicologist. Because of recent progress of analytical equipment, it is now possible to quantify drugs in hair with high level of accuracy and specificity at the pg/mg range. Therefore, segmental hair tests can be used to document environmental contamination and are the objective of this publication. In a family law case, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a powerful hallucinogen, has been found in the hair of the partner of a repetitive DMT smoker at 4 to 13 pg/mg in 6 × 1 cm segments, with a regular increase of concentrations from the proximal to the distal hair end. The low measured concentrations and the particular pattern of DMT distribution along the hair shaft seem to be typical of environmental contamination, the older hair (those of the distal part) being for a longer time in contact with the drug. Despite strong decontamination, drugs from the environment can remain bound to the hair matrix and therefore be able to be used to document environmental contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Kintz
- X-Pertise Consulting, Mittelhausbergen, France.,Institut de Medecine Légale, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Alice Ameline
- Institut de Medecine Légale, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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Erne R, Bernhard L, Kawecki M, Baumgartner MR, Kraemer T. Using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) for investigations on single hair samples to solve the contamination versus incorporation issue of hair analysis in the case of cocaine and methadone. Analyst 2020; 145:4906-4919. [PMID: 32484169 DOI: 10.1039/c9an02577d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Drug testing in hair is a controversial subject of discussion. Claims that decontamination protocols could generate false-positive samples, by washing contamination in hair, have unsettled many toxicologists. At least for zolpidem (known for showing only minor contamination), it could be shown that differentiation of the drug incorporated via the bloodstream from contamination was possible. The current work addresses cocaine and methadone, known for their high concentrations and contamination issues. Longitudinally and cross-sectioned samples of drug-soaked hair, consumer hair and cocaine powder contaminated hair were investigated using time of flight-secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). In addition, the resulting wash solutions were investigated using LC-MS/MS. Differentiation of contamination from incorporation was possible for soaked and consumer hair samples. Therefore, contamination could be localized in the superficial compartments of hair and could be removed using strong wash protocols. In the case of powder contaminated hair samples, a small amount of cocaine remained in the inner structures even after the application of the strongest wash protocols. However, taking into consideration the differences in their behavior during decontamination steps compared to both soaked and authentic hair samples, the validity of this contamination protocol (rubbing cocaine powder into hair) must be questioned. Furthermore, when using cut-off values and metabolite ratios (from routine hair analysis), the differentiation of incorporation from contamination was possible also for all our experimental samples in this study. Inclusion of metabolites and application of cut-off values are therefore a must in routine hair analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Erne
- Department of Forensic Pharmacology & Toxicology, Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine (ZIFM), University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190/52, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Kintz P, Ameline A, Raul JS. The Difficult Interpretation of a Hair Test Result from a 32-Month-Old Child: Administration of Propranolol and Quetiapine or Contamination? J Anal Toxicol 2020; 44:747-751. [DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkaa047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
A 23-month-old boy was brought to a medical center by his mother, as she noticed that the father has gripped him around the neck and this had left marks. As a result of this, a child protection medical examination was requested. However, there was a significant chronology of mental health issues in the mother. Among the mother’s medications, quetiapine and propranolol were the more active. Given a consultant pediatrician was concerned that the boy was vulnerable and potentially has experienced neglect and physical harm, the local authority instructed a hair test to document possible poisoning. However, this occurred several months later, due to court delays (postponed hearings and decisions) when the child was 32-month old. The laboratory received a strand of hair of the child (12 cm in length, light brown in color) and a strand of hair of the mother (>20 cm in length, dark in color) with the request to test both specimens by segmentation (12 x 1 cm) for quetiapine, an anti-psychotic drug and propranolol, a β-blocker agent. After decontamination and segmentation, the specimens were incubated in borate buffer pH 9.5 and extracted by a mixture of ether/dichloromethane/hexane/isoamyl alcohol to test for the drugs, including norquetiapine by a specific LC–MS-MS method. The first 3 cm segments of the child’s hair were free of drug, roughly corresponding to the period he was no more in contact with the mother. Propranolol tested positive in the other segments at 15–72 pg/mg, with a linear increase from the proximal to the distal end. This was also observed for quetiapine, with concentrations in the range 10–18 pg/mg. Norquetiapine was never identified in the child’s hair. The following concentrations were observed in the mother’s hair: 6028–10,284, 910–4576 and 1116–6956 pg/mg for propranolol, quetiapine and norquetiapine, respectively. This confirmed that the donor was a long-term repetitive user of propranolol and quetiapine. The hair test results have indicated that the child was in contact with propranolol and quetiapine for a long period. It is not possible to put a temporal period for each segment, as the hair growth at the age of 32 months is not the same as for an adult (difference in the duration of the anagen period), nor to put any quantitative dosage or frequency of exposure(s) when interpreting the data. An increase of concentrations from root to tip was observed which is considered highly indicative of external contamination, with the older hair segments (those which are the more concentrated) being in contact for a longer time with contaminated items (hands of the mother, home items such as furniture, dishes, beddings, etc.). Overinterpreting drug findings in hair can have very serious legal implications in child protection cases, particularly when no other toxicological test and no clinical report exist to support voluntary administration of drugs. Whatever the findings, a proper interpretation of hair test results is critical and should be done ideally with other information available, such as medical history, witness statements and the available circumstances of the matter. A single hair test should not be used to determine long-term exposure to a drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Kintz
- X-Pertise Consulting, 42 rue Principale, F-67206 Mittelhausbergen, France
- Institut de Médecine Légale, 11 rue Humann, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Alice Ameline
- Institut de Médecine Légale, 11 rue Humann, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
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