Evidence based decontamination protocols for the removal of external Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from contaminated hair

Duvivier, Wilco F.; Peeters, R; Beek, T.A. van; Nielen, Michel W. F.

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.12.014

Cited by 16 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…THC‐COOH, however, is only incorporated into hair in very low levels. To analyze hair samples with low THC concentration, the previously described LC/MS/MS method after extensive sample clean‐up, with a limit of detection below the cut‐off value, should still be used …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Critical comparison of mass analyzers for forensic hair analysis by ambient ionization mass spectrometry

Duvivier

Beek

Nielen

2016

Rapid Comm Mass Spectrometry

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Prior to analysis, drug user hair samples were decontaminated using a single methanol wash followed by a single aqueous sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution wash. After a Milli‐Q water rinsing step, the hair samples were left to dry for 2 h . The analysis of spiked blank and authentic cannabis user hair samples was as described previously .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Critical comparison of mass analyzers for forensic hair analysis by ambient ionization mass spectrometry

Duvivier

Beek

Nielen

2016

Rapid Comm Mass Spectrometry

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“…Rubbing the hair with drug powder can create complications, such as the irreproducibility of the contamination that may cause discrepancies between identical conditions; and the mechanical action may also cause cuticular damage, which could potentially affect the diffusion of solvents into the hair fiber . In another study, damage to the hair fiber surface by rubbing was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, but the authors claimed that the damage did not impact the effectiveness of the decontamination procedures applied …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…28 In another study, damage to the hair fiber surface by rubbing was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, but the authors claimed that the damage did not impact the effectiveness of the decontamination procedures applied. 42 Another consideration is the applicability of the pooled hair samples used in Studies 1 to 3. Some of the properties of the clinical hair samples that may have affected decontamination effectiveness in this investigation include hair length and regularity of hair hygiene, cosmetic treatments, and hair fiber porosity (as discussed above).…”

Section: Limitations and Considerations Of The Test Systemmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Both studies and the present work concur that MeOH is the most effective organic solvent but its use can be problematic. 42,59 As a protic solvent, MeOH may inadvertently 'wash in' surface-level drug contamination into the hair fiber, resulting in initially negative rated hair becoming indistinguishable from drug users' hair. 31 Regarding the aqueous solvents, either 5% SDS or phosphate buffer was deemed as the most effective.…”

Section: Implications For Forensic Hair Analysis and Future Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A systematic investigation of forensic hair decontamination procedures and their limitations

Mantinieks

Wright

Rago

et al. 2019

Drug Testing and Analysis

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The effectiveness of decontamination procedures used for the removal of external drug contamination in forensic hair analysis is an ongoing debate. This investigation evaluated wash methods complying with Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) guidelines and their capacity to remove cocaine (COC) and methamphetamine (MA) from artificially contaminated hair. The most effective decontamination method was determined using a systematic approach, involving (1) an initial washing solvent screen, (2) optimization of wash duration, (3) comparison of sequential wash methods, and (4) reanalysis of clinical hair samples. For analysis, hair was subjected to micro‐pulverized methanolic extraction prior to quantitation by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography−tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC−MS/MS). Methanol (MeOH) and 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 6) were the most effective organic and aqueous solvents, respectively, removing 28%–38% of COC and 16%–31% of MA. Wash durations longer than 30–60 minutes did not remove additional amounts, and a more efficient sequential wash method was subsequently developed. Despite this, the interpretation of reportable results relative to the SoHT cut‐off levels was unchanged for most clinical hair samples reanalyzed after washing by agitation for 30 minutes with MeOH. These findings highlight the inability of decontamination solvents to completely remove external COC and MA contamination from hair, including wash methods adhering to SoHT guidelines.

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Evaluation of decontamination procedures for drug testing in undamaged versus damaged hair

Fernández

Wille

Yegles

et al. 2022

Drug Testing and Analysis

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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. 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. 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 a solid‐phase extraction (SPE) or liquid–liquid extraction (LLE), while the washes were evaporated to dryness. All were thereafter reconstituted and analysed with routine ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS) methods. 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 (with methanol or water) in most samples, and 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. 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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Evidence based decontamination protocols for the removal of external Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from contaminated hair

Cited by 16 publications

References 45 publications

Critical comparison of mass analyzers for forensic hair analysis by ambient ionization mass spectrometry

Critical comparison of mass analyzers for forensic hair analysis by ambient ionization mass spectrometry

A systematic investigation of forensic hair decontamination procedures and their limitations

Evaluation of decontamination procedures for drug testing in undamaged versus damaged hair

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