Dangerous-drugs-and-pharmaceuticals-in-blood-urine-and-visceral-organs.pptx

Its all about dangerous drugs

1. Dangerous drugs and pharmaceuticals in blood urine and visceral organs

2. Introduction to Dangerous Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Dangerous Drugs Substances with potential for abuse, addiction, and harm. Examples include opioids, stimulants, and hallucinogens. Pharmaceuticals Medicinal substances prescribed for treating various conditions. May be misused for non-medical purposes.

3. Forms of Dangerous Drugs Dangerous Drugs Drugs are in various forms. This includes tablets, capsules, liquid, powder, brick or decks of marijuana, crushed leaves and uprooted plants.

4. Importance of Qualitative Analysis in Forensic Toxicology 1 Establish Presence Detects specific drugs or pharmaceuticals in biological samples. 2 Aid Investigations Provides crucial evidence in criminal cases involving drug use or poisoning. 3 Support Medical Diagnosis Identifies substances contributing to medical conditions or overdoses.

5. The accurate and reliable analysis of dangerous drugs and pharmaceuticals in biological matrices such as blood, urine, and visceral organs is crucial for various purposes, including forensic investigations, clinical toxicology, and therapeutic drug monitoring.

6. Overview of Common Dangerous Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Opioids Morphine, heroin, fentanyl Stimulants Cocaine, methamphetamine, amphetamine Depressants Benzodiazepines, barbiturates, alcohol Hallucinogens LSD, psilocybin, PCP

7. Sample Preparation Collection Techniques 1 Collection: Proper sample collection is crucial. Strict adherence to chain-of-custody procedures is essential to maintain sample integrity and ensure legal admissibility. Aseptic techniques must be employed to prevent contamination. 2 Preparation: Homogenization: For solid tissues like visceral organs, thorough homogenization is necessary to obtain a representative sample. 3 Extraction: Isolating the target analytes from the complex biological matrix is crucial. Common extraction techniques include:.

8. Sample Preparation Collection Techniques Liquid-Liquid Extraction (LLE): Utilizing solvents to selectively partition the analytes into a different phase. Protein Precipitation: Removing proteins from the sample to improve analyte recovery and reduce matrix effects. Concentration Increases the analyte concentration for better detection sensitivity.

9. Analytical Methods for Qualitative Screening Chromatography: Chromatographic techniques are fundamental for separating the analytes from other components in the sample. Gas Chromatography (GC): Suitable for volatile and thermally stable compounds. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC): Versatile for a wide range of analytes, including thermally labile compounds..

10. Analytical Methods for Qualitative Screening Mass Spectrometry (MS): A powerful technique for identifying and quantifying compounds based on their mass-to-charge ratio. Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) Separates and identifies non-volatile compounds using mass spectrometry. Widely used for analyzing a broad range of compounds, including those that are not easily amenable to GC. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) Separates and identifies volatile compounds using mass spectrometry. Provides high sensitivity and specificity for volatile compounds.

11. Data Analysis and Interpretation Qualitative Analysis: ○ Identifying the presence of specific drugs in the sample. ○ Comparing retention times and mass spectra of the analytes to reference standards. Quantitative Analysis: ○ Determining the concentration of the drugs in the sample. ○ Utilizing calibration curves and internal standards to quantify the analytes.

12. Interpreting Qualitative Analysis Results 1 Positive Results Confirm presence of the drug or pharmaceutical. 2 Negative Results Absence of the target substance within the detection limits. 3 False Positives/Negatives Potential errors due to interferences or limitations of the method.

13. The various biologic matrices for drug testing: Blood Drug testing of blood samples is usually only performed in emergency situations, and due to the invasiveness of obtaining a blood sample, the need for specially trained phlebotomists, and the expense of blood drug testing, it is rarely performed in primary care settings . An additional limitation is that obtaining blood samples requires venipuncture and locating venous access among injection drug users can be very difficult. Provides information about recent drug exposure. Urine Of all the matrices, urine is the most commonly used for adolescent drug testing and is the most thoroughly studied. Detects drugs and metabolites over a longer period.

14. The various biologic matrices for drug testing: ORAL/SALIVA Oral fluid testing is less commonly used but oral samples represent a convenient, promising matrix for many settings. Unlike urine samples, oral samples are not easily tampered with, and can be collected with minimal invasion of privacy. Oral secretions contain either the original drug compound or its metabolite for approximately 24-48 hours after last use. Importantly, use of breath sprays, mouthwash or other oral rinses containing alcohol does not affect drug testing results as long as they are not used within 30 minutes of sample collection. HAIR Hair drug tests have the advantage of detecting substance use days to months, or in some cases, years, later . Drug metabolites are present in hair as early as one week after most recent use, and because metabolites remain trapped in the core of the hair as it grows, hair provides a rough timeline of use over an extended period. Hair grows at a rate of approximately one-half inch per month, and so the standard 1.5-inch hair sample obtained close to the root in most drug testing protocols gives information over past 3-month drug use

15. The various biologic matrices for drug testing: ORAL/SALIVA To collect an oral sample, a swab is placed adjacent to the lower gums against the inner cheek and left in place for several minutes before being inserted into a vial for transportation to the laboratory]. Point-of-care oral testing is also available in some settings HAIR Because of the long period of detection for hair samples, they are useful for detecting chronic substance use, understanding the duration of a patient’s drug use over the long term, and indicating periods of abstinence. Other limitations of hair testing include that individuals can surreptitiously remove the sample through shaving, that sweat production can cause drug metabolites to travel proximally up the hair shaft thus affecting drug test interpretation, and that drugs can be incorporated into hair through simple exposure from second-hand smoke . An additional potential consideration is that drug concentrations can be affected by the melanin content of hair, resulting in potentially higher concentrations of certain drugs in dark hair as compared to blond or red hair . Bleaching or coloring the hair may also alter concentrations of metabolites.

16. The various biologic matrices for drug testing: BREATH Breath testing, often referred to as the “Breathalyzer” test after the original brand name testing device, is used exclusively for instantaneous estimation of blood alcohol content]. Breath testing provides an accurate measure of the actual blood alcohol content at that moment in time, and is more frequently used in law enforcement or in emergency departments than in primary care. The US Department of Transportation maintains an active list of approved breath testing devices for the interested reader. SWEAT The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a patch for collection of sweat for drug testing that is placed on the skin for 3-7 days prior to being sent to a laboratory for interpretation]. In Europe a wipe is also available that is not currently FDA-approved due to concerns regarding its accuracy.

17. The various biologic matrices for drug testing: Meconium Meconium is obtained from newborns and used as a measure of maternal substance use in the third trimester. Meconium is present in a newborn’s first several stools. Meconium testing is used as a screen in the newborn nursery or neonatal intensive care unit when maternal substance use during pregnancy is suspected, and can have critical legal consequences for guardianship of the child. Meconium testing can also inform clinical management of neonatal abstinence syndrome and other newborn withdrawal syndromes.

18. Indication for drug testing Investigation of Crimes: 1 Evidence Collection: Identifying drugs found at a crime scene (e.g., on a suspect, victim, or in drug paraphernalia) to link individuals to the crime. 2 Drug-Impaired Driving Support for impaired driving charges and related convictions. Determining if a driver or suspect was under the influence of drugs at the time of an accident or crime. 3 Postmortem Toxicology: Determining the cause and manner of death in cases of suspected drug overdose or intoxication. — Drug Possession Evidence for prosecution of drug-related offenses.

19. Law Enforcement: 1 Pre-employment Screening: To ensure the safety and reliability of law enforcement personnel. 2 Probation and Parole: Monitoring compliance with drug-free conditions of release. 3 Investigation of Suspected Drug Offenses: Gathering evidence in drug trafficking and possession cases.:

20. Legal Proceedings: 1 Providing Evidence in Court: Drug test results can be used as evidence in criminal trials to support charges or defenses. 2 Child Custody Cases: Assessing the fitness of parents or guardians..

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