This report describes the outcomes of a process undertaken to review and update National Safety Council's Alcohol, Drugs Impairment Division's recommendations for toxicological investigation suspected alcohol drug-impaired driving cases motor vehicle fatalities. The updates are made based on survey practices in laboratories USA Canada performing testing these cases, consideration existing epidemiological crash arrest data, current drug use patterns, practical considerations widely available...

The synthetic cathinones represent an important class of designer drugs. widespread attention and publicity associated with these psychostimulants have resulted in numerous legislative actions at state federal levels throughout the USA. These amphetamine-like compounds are characterized by a β-keto functional group. Although share many properties their phenethylamine counterparts, presence ketone moiety is responsible for number unique distinct differences terms chemical characteristics...

This report describes updates to the National Safety Council's Alcohol, Drugs and Impairment Division's recommendations for drug testing in driving under influence of (DUID) cases motor vehicle fatalities. The are based on a survey practices laboratories USA Canada, comprehensive review prior data research drugs most frequently detected DUID cases. A consensus meeting was held with representative forensic science practitioners authors this update recommendations. No changes were made Tier I...

This report describes the review and update of a set minimum recommendations for toxicological investigation suspected alcohol drug-impaired driving cases motor vehicle fatalities involving drugs or alcohol. The have goal ensuring that consistent data regarding most frequently encountered linked to impairment is collected practical application in these allow epidemiological monitoring development evidence-based public policy on this important safety issue. are based survey practices US...

The synthetic cathinones are powerful psychostimulants that have been associated with impairment, intoxication and fatal overdose. Forensic laboratories must be able to identify these new drugs as part of antemortem postmortem toxicology investigations. Preliminary reports indicated some the unstable in biological matrices. It is important understand drug stability evidence so analytical findings can interpreted appropriately. objective this study was systematically evaluate concentration,...

Investigation of a suspected alcohol or drug impaired driving (DUID) case ideally contains several key elements, including trained officer documenting observations and subject behavior, collection biological specimen for comprehensive toxicology testing. There is currently no common standard practice among forensic laboratories in the United States as to which drugs should be tested for, at what analytical cutoff. Having some uniformity would ensure that most frequently associated with...

Abstract Mitragyna speciosa (Kratom) has emerged as a recreational drug and substance of medicinal intrigue. Although the was initially used recreationally for its sedating euphoric effects, more recently use been associated with non-medically supervised treatment opioid abstinence syndrome. Mitragynine is principal pharmacologically active alkaloid in kratom. metabolites mitragynine have identified, cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes responsible biotransformation are still under...

The collection, storage, and transport of samples prior to during analysis is utmost importance, especially for highly potent analogs that may not be present in high concentrations are susceptible pH or thermally mediated degradation. An accelerated stability study was performed on 17 fentanyl (fentalogs) over a wide range (2-10) temperature (20-60°C) conditions 24 h. Dilute aqueous systems were used investigate pH-dependent kinetics using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry...

ELISAs are widely utilized in forensic drug analysis. A comparative assessment of microtiter plate assays for the detection six common classes blood and urine is described.ELISAs opiates, methamphetamine, benzodiazepines, cocaine metabolite, phencyclidine (PCP), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) metabolite were evaluated a side-by-side study. The analytical performance 12 commercially available was determined terms binding characteristics, dose-response curves, limits detection, sensitivity, intra-...

In this report, we evaluate the concentration, pH, temperature and analyte-dependent effects on cathinone stability in preserved human urine. A total of 22 synthetic cathinones were evaluated at 100 ng/mL 1,000 pH 4 8 urine over 6 months. Specimens stored -20°C, 4°C, 20°C 32°C. The was highly dependent storage temperature. Cathinones considerably more stable acidic (pH 4) low alkaline 8) 32°C, significant losses (>20%) observed within hours for majority drugs. contrast, all drugs frozen...

The Toxicology Bureau of the New Mexico Department Health performs drug and alcohol testing on approximately 2800 medical examiner cases each year across entire state. Although blood is usually preferred specimen for analysis, importance multiple analysis in alcohol-related death investigation well understood. Quantitative determination a variety postmortem specimens may provide important interpretive information. In total 322 consecutive cases, vitreous concentrations were compared. No was...

The in vitro production of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) antemortem urine samples was demonstrated over an eight-month period. Positive chemical ionization-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (PCI-GC-MS) used to detect trace amounts GHB produced under certain storage conditions. Freshly prepared drug-free human stored at 21, 4, and -20 degrees C the presence preservative. Although artifactual occurred more rapidly elevated temperatures, antimicrobial agent (sodium azide) control did not...

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is encountered in biological specimens as an endogenous neuromodulator, recreational drug, or therapeutic agent. Clinically, the drug useful for treatment of cataplexy. Illicit doses are typically 2–4 g, and onset action rapid, occurring 15–30 min following oral ingestion. Dose.dependent effects include drowsiness, euphoria, dizziness, vomiting, respiratory depression, coma, death. GHB was isolated from samples using a simple liquid-liquid extraction. The...

Abstract: A method capable of quantifying endogenous concentrations gamma‐hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in human head hair was developed and validated using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Hair digested under alkaline conditions, GHB isolated liquid–liquid extraction. LC/MS/MS performed atmospheric pressure chemical ionization the negative mode, multiple reaction monitoring, deuterated internal standard (GHB‐D 6 ). Linearity observed between 0.1 100 ng/mg (R 2 =...

The 2C, 2C-T, and DO series of designer drugs pose a number challenges to forensic toxicology laboratories. Although these are seized by law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, they not readily detected in A systematic evaluation cross-reactivity 9 commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) was conducted using 11 drugs. Cross-reactivity measured towards 2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromophenethylamine (2C-B), 2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-H),...

Mitragynine (MG) is the principal psychoactive alkaloid in kratom. The drug produces a variety of dose-dependent effects that appeal to recreational users and individuals seeking therapeutic benefits absence medical supervision. In light documented intoxications, hospitalizations fatalities, MG other alkaloids from Mitragyna speciosa are growing importance forensic toxicology community. However, chemical stability these compounds has not been thoroughly described. this report, MG,...

ABSTRACT: When assaying for postmortem morphine concentration, significant site sampling variability exists between central and peripheral sites even within regions of the body. To study variation, 76 suspected heroin overdoses were identified. Each had femoral artery (FA) vein (FV), left right ventricle pooled heart blood samples obtained at autopsy. Forty‐four tested positive morphine. Morphine concentrations determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, with differences reported as...

The purpose of this study was to determine whether non-alcoholic energy drinks could result in positive "alcohol alerts" based on transdermal alcohol concentration (TAC) using a commercially available electrochemical monitoring device. Eleven were quantitatively assayed for both ethanol and caffeine. Ethanol concentrations all the ranged from 0.03 0.230% (w/v) caffeine content per 8-oz serving 65 126 mg. A total 15 human subjects participated study. Subjects consumed between 6 8 over an 8-h...

This study was to determine the relationship of antemortem postmortem morphine concentrations in heart and femoral blood a porcine model following acute intravenous opiate overdose. The involved 20 swine; each sacrificed 10 min after injection 2 mg/kg body weight morphine. Drug were assayed from vitreous humor isolated vein artery left right ventricles at various times postmortem. Comparisons made between values agreement reliability. Both free total varied significantly among animals,...

Designer psychostimulants are known by recreational drug users to produce a complex array of adrenergic and hallucinogenic effects. Many these drugs not targeted during routine toxicology testing as consequence, they rarely reported. The purpose this study was develop procedure for the detection 15 in urine using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), specifically 2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromophenethylamine (2C-B), 2,5-dimethoxy-4-chlorophenethylamine (2C-C),...