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

Forensic Science International : Synergy
Wilco F DuvivierMichel W F Nielen

Abstract

External contamination can cause false positive results in forensic hair testing for drugs of abuse and is therefore a major concern when hair evidence is used in court. Current literature about decontamination strategies is mainly focused on external cocaine contamination and no consensus on the best decontamination procedure for hair samples containing cannabinoids has been reached so far. In this study, different protocols with solvents, both organic as well as aqueous, were tested on blank and drug user hair for their performance on removing external cannabis contamination originating from either smoke or indirect contact with cannabis plant material. Smoke contamination was mimicked by exposing hair samples to smoke from a cannabis cigarette and indirect contact contamination by handling hair with cannabis contaminated gloves or hands. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels in the hair samples and wash solvents were determined using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. Aqueous surfactant solutions removed more THC contamination compared to water, but much less than organic solvents. Methanol, dichloromethane and chloroform were most efficient in removing THC contamination. Due to its lower envi...Continue Reading

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Citations

Aug 17, 2016·Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry : RCM·Wilco F DuvivierMichel W F Nielen
Aug 14, 2019·Drug Testing and Analysis·Dylan MantinieksDimitri Gerostamoulos
Mar 4, 2020·Journal of Applied Toxicology : JAT·Christopher DaviesJoanne Morrissey
Sep 25, 2017·Clinical Toxicology : the Official Journal of the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists·Eva Cuypers, Robert J Flanagan
Sep 29, 2020·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Nikhita ShankarCecilia Giulivi
Jul 5, 2018·Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology·Dylan MantinieksOlaf Drummer
May 16, 2020·Chemico-biological Interactions·Clémentine CôtePierre Doumenq
Jul 6, 2020·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Isabelle ClaudetSouleiman El Balkhi

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