ABSTRACT
Pilot studies were undertaken to examine the feasibility of preparing freeze-dried whole blood samples containing drugs of interest to be used as assay controls. The availability of such samples will enable analysts and laboratory managers to monitor analytical performance. A pilot batch of freeze-dried blood containing five compounds of forensic significance and a blank blood sample were prepared for reconstitution to 2.5-mL aliquots. Samples of each of these preparations were distributed to 55 laboratories in the USA and UK for analysis. A summary of the results is presented along with comments on the feasibility of producing freeze-dried whole blood samples for use in forensic toxicology.
Subject(s)
Pharmaceutical Preparations/analysis , Animals , Diazepam/blood , Forensic Medicine , Freeze Drying , Horses , Humans , Methadone/blood , Methamphetamine/blood , Morphine/blood , Quality Control , Specimen Handling , ToxicologyABSTRACT
Subjects suffering from respiratory diseases occasionally experience difficulty when attempting to provide breath samples to satisfy the requirements of breath alcohol testing devices. In order to assist ventilation, such subjects may resort to the use of an aerosol inhaler. Twenty aerosol inhalers containing drugs which exhibit an effect on the respiratory system and five nasal sprays used to relieve the symptoms of hay fever, have been tested for interference on the range of breath alcohol measuring devices used by the police in Great Britain. No interference attributable to the contents of any of the aerosol inhalers or nasal sprays tested was observed on any of the instruments in police use.
