Davies_et_al_2020.docx (4.3 MB)
Variability Associated with Interpreting Drugs within Forensic Hair Analysis: A Three Stage Interpretation
journal contribution
posted on 2023-08-30, 17:00 authored by Christopher Davies, Lata Gautam, Agetha Grela, Joanne MorrisseyHair analysis is capable of determining both an individual's long‐term drug history and a single exposure to a drug, which can be particularly important for corroborating incidents of drug‐facilitated crimes. As a source of forensic evidence that may be used in a court of law, it must be credible, impartial and reliable, yet the pathways of drug and metabolite entry into hair are still uncertain. Many variables may influence drug analysis results, most of which are outside of the control of an analyst. An individual's pharmacokinetic and metabolic responses, hair growth rates, drug incorporation routes, axial migration, ethnicity, age and gender, for example, all display interpersonal variability. At present there is little standardization of the analytical processes involved with hair analysis. Both false positives and negative results for drugs are frequently encountered, regardless of whether a person has consumed a drug or not. In this regard, we have categorized these variables and proposed a three‐stage analytical approach to facilitate forensic toxicologists, hair analysis experts, judiciaries and service users in the analytical and interpretation process.
History
Refereed
- Yes
Volume
40Issue number
7Page range
868-888Publication title
Journal of Applied ToxicologyISSN
1099-1263External DOI
Publisher
WileyFile version
- Accepted version
Language
- eng
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Legacy posted date
2020-03-04Legacy creation date
2020-04-23Legacy Faculty/School/Department
Faculty of Science & EngineeringUsage metrics
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