Page 160 - Advances in Forensic Applications of Mass Spectrometry - Jehuda Yinon

1522_C03.fm Page 143 Thursday, November 13, 2003 9:53 AM

Abundance
Ian 272.00 (271.70 to 272.70) : 1601001. D (+, −)
Ian 301.00 (301.70 to 301.70) : 1601001. D (+, −)
15000
11.19
10000
5000

0
Time 6.50 7.00 7.50 8.00 8.50 9.00 9.50 10.00 10.50 11.00 11.50 12.00 12.50 13.00
Abundance scan 1015 (11.184 min): 1601001.D (-)
230 272
15000

10000
5000 231
161 173 188
100 103113 119 132 136 146 165 163 201 244 251 264 276 287
0 206 215
m/z 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230 240 250 260 270 280
Figure 3.6 Mass chromatogram and electron ionization mass spectrum of an
extracted hair specimen, revealing the presence of salbutamol. (From Kintz, P. et al.,
J. Forensic Sci., 45, 170, 2000. © ASTM International. Reprinted with permission.)

considered as justified, even if it is known that the drug can be used to
enhance performance. By comparison with concentrations measured in asth-
matic patients, and segmental analysis (repetitive positive segments), hair
would document unambiguously a doping attitude from the athlete.

3.4 Discussion

There are essentially three types of problems with urinalysis drug testing:
false-positives when not confirmed with GC/MS, degradation of observed
urine collection, and evasive maneuvers, including adulteration. These prob-
lems can be greatly mitigated or eliminated through hair analysis. It is always
possible to obtain a fresh, identical hair sample if there is any claim of a
specimen mix-up or breach in the chain of custody. This makes hair analysis
essentially fail-safe, in contrast to urinalysis, since an identical urine specimen
cannot be obtained at a later date.
Another potential use of hair analysis is to verify accidental or uninten-
tional ingestion of drinks or foods that have been laced with drugs. In case
of a single use, the hair will not test positive, particularly for anabolics or
corticosteroids, that are badly incorporated in hair. Its greatest use, however,
may be in identifying false-negatives, since neither abstaining from a drug
for a few days or nor trying to “beat the test” by diluting urine will alter the
concentration in hair. Urine does not indicate the frequency of drug intake

© 2004 by CRC Press LLC