CHAPTER 5

FOR EN SI C
D R UG
AN AL Y S I S
 Objectives:
At the end of this chapter, the student will be able to:

• Define "Forensic Drug Analysis" and identify its role in processing drug
specimens;

• Enumerate the various ways by which to conduct qualitative and

quantitative analyses of drug specimens; and

• Learn the steps involved in conducting qualitative analyses

 C
LYSIS
G ANA
C DRU
ENSI
FOR

e s s o f
e p r o c s
t o th c i m en
r e fe rs g s p e
a i n l y n t if y in
- m d q u a d ru g
in g a n r e n s ic
n t i f y s e f o nd
ide g s . T h e
e n in g a
a l d r u a sc re
o f il le g o u t v i
a rr ie d e o f
a r e c u r p o s
tests f o r th e p
s e d as
a t io n n b e u
n f i rm lts c a
co e re s u
s i s. T h la w .
analy a co u r t o f
n c e in
e v id e
Drug chemi
st
A drug chem
ist is a speci
alist
who conduc
ts chemical
analysis of e
vidence
confiscated
during crimi
nal
investigation
which involv
dangerous d e d
rugs and
clandestine
labs.
 Qualitative and quantitative analysis of drug specimen

-In the analysis of drug specimens, it is important to know the qualitative and quantitative
characteristics of said specimens. The results of a well executed drug analysis can be used
as the basis upon which prosecutor can file a case against a suspect.

- In drug parse lowing the Q is knowing its degree of purity, while knowing the
simply means knowing the existence or the presence dangerous drugs on the
specimen. Both qualitative and quantitative analysis use the analytical method of
identifying volatile substances and dangerous drugs.
 al te st
Physic
r m e d b y
t i s p e r f o
n d o f te s ie s
Thi s ki p ro p e rt
p h y si ca l
i b in g th e t io n ,
desc r r i n sp ec
b y o cu la
p e cim e n c o p ic
of a s a m ic ro s
t h ro ug h
in g , o r
weigh
ex am .
 Chemical (color) test

In the chemical test, a specific reagent or series of

reagents is used for a presump-tive test. Color
reaction is expected to occur in order to
determine the presence of a dangerous drug.
Different reagents are used for different
dangerous drugs and examples inelude Si-mons
test, Marquis test, and so on
Confirmatory test

There are three types of confirmatory tests:

a. Thin layer chromatography (TLC),

b. Spectrophotometry, and
c. Gas chromatography mass spectrophotometry.
A. Thin layer chromatography (tlc)
This type of test requires the comparison of Rf
(retention in time values) between the specimen in
question and the standard

B. Spectrophotometry (uiv and ir)

Ultraviolet spectrophotometry (UIV) offers conclusive proof for the positive

identification of drugs because other materials could produce an
indistinguishable spectrum. Meanwhile, infrared spectrophotometry (IR)
can specifically identify the substance. The IR pattern is unique to each
compound and can be considered as being
C. Gas chromatography mass spectrophotometry

This test is performed by combining gas chromatography and mass

spectrophotometry, that is, as the sample emerges from the gas
chromatography, it immediately enters the mass spectrometer. Then, the
sample is exposed to high-energy electrons, causing the sample to fragment or
break a part. The fragmentation pattern serves as a "fingerprint" of a chemical
substance
Reporting

A complete labora
tory report should
be able to indicate
the necessary infor all
mation, which inclu
des the following: t
specimen submitte he
d and its descriptio
n, the time and dat
at which the specim e
en was received by
the authorized
personnel, data ab
out the suspect/s.
the name of the
requesting party, t
he findings and con
clusion, the time a
date at which the a nd
nalysis was comple
ted, and the name
and signature of th
e examiner and the
approving officer.
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e s u lt fo r re e n in g
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positiv in e d u ri n g t he
p h eta m
meth a m

3 d ays
Singl e user 1-
a.

-5 days
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Results of the marquez test and how to analyze them
COLOR SUBSTANCES PRESENT

No reaction Does not contain MDMA,MDA,MDA

Dark purple to black Either MDMA,MDE,MDA,DXM or opiates are present

Dark grey DXM willemite as small of smoke

Bright yellow Either DOM or DOB is present

Right orange Either speed or methamphetamine is present

Metabolism of Drugs

 Methamphetamine. → Amphetamine
 Heroin. →. Morphine
 Aspirin. →. Salicylic acid
 Diazepam. →. Oxazepam
 Ecstacy. →. Amphetamine ( Oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis ,etc.)
 k: K e y Why D oes it Matter?
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 DRUG DEPENDENCY, DRUG
METABOLISM MODIFIERS
AND PSYCHOLOGY OF DRUGS
Presented by: Labajo, Analies B.
 DRUG DEPENDENCY
Drug dependence is a biopsychological condition where a
person's physical or psychological function relies on the
repeated use of a drug to avoid withdrawal or maintain a
normal state. This reliance develops from the adaptive
changes in the brain caused by sustained drug consumption,
which can alter brain chemistry and behavior, leading to an
inescapable need to use the substance.
 CONSEQUENCES
* Health deterioration
* Behavioral changes
* Social and occupational issues
* Risk of overdose and death
 DRUG METABOLISM
MODIFIERS
Drug metabolism modifiers are things that
change how fast or slow your body breakdown a
medicine

Speed up the breakdown of the medicine (So it

works for a shorter time).
Slow down the breakdown ( So it stay in the body
longer and may cause side effects).
 PSYCHOLOGY OF DRUGS
The psychology of Drugs studies how drugs affect the
mind, emotions, behavior, and mental processeses, it
explores why people use drugs, how they affect the
brain, and what psychological consequences can result
from use-both short-term (like mood changes) and
long term (like addiction or personality changes).
THANK
YOU
 ree Factors Considered in Drug Physiology

 Absorption
 Distribution
 Metabolism

Elimination of drugs

- is refers to the method of eliminating body toxins and

other unabsorbed products of metabolism (e.g., via the
liver) and excretion (e.g., via the kidney, bile). e urine
can also be the main route of excretion
Drug Test

It is the process of determining the presence of a drug and its

metabolites in the human body through the uids. Other
specimens that can be used in a drug test include the
following:

a. Blood
b. Fingernails
c. Hair
d. Saliva
e. Sweat
f. Tissue
 Validity test in urine
samples

Dan Micheal Namit

 What is Validity test
in urine samples?

Dan Namit
 Validity test in urine samples

Performing a validity test on a urine sample helps determine the

integrity of the sample.

The typical reasons for performing the validity tests are:

(1) to analyze unobserved urine collection and

(2) to determine whether a urine sample that has been
submitted has been tampered.

A urine sample is considered invalid when it is improperly

documented, diluted, substituted, adulterated and
improperly collected, handled
Validity tests are done to make sure
the urine sample is genuine and not Specific Gravity Test
tampered with. Examples include:
checks whether the urine is too
diluted (may suggest someone
drank excess water to hide drugs).
 pH Test

normal urine pH is around 4.5– 8.0; if

outside this range, it may mean the
sample was adulterated.
Creatinine Level Test

very low creatinine indicates dilution or substitution.

 Temperature Check
(within 4 minutes of
collection)

freshly voided urine should be 32– 38° C;

outside this range may indicate
substitution.
 Chemical Adulterant
Detection
checks for substances like bleach, vinegar, or nitrites
that can be added to mask drugs.
 What is Qualitative
Examination of
Urine?

Dan Namit
Qualitative Examination of Urine

The method uses a combination of monoclonal and

polyclonal antibodies to selectively identify the
drugs of abuse and their metabolites.

examples
Qualitative exams look for the
presence or absence of drugs,
not the exact amount. Screening Test using Drug Test Kits
Examples include: (DTK)
Example: A rapid immunoassay
strip shows a positive result for
methamphetamine or THC.
 Immunoassay (ELISA test)
identifies drug classes like opiates, cocaine, or amphetamines
in urine.
Presumptive Positive Result
a test strip showing a positive line for marijuana use.
 Confirmatory Test
(GC-MS)

although quantitative, it starts as a

confirmation for qualitative screening.
 to summarize

Validity Test Example:

A urine sample has a creatinine

level of only 5 mg/dL → suggests Qualitative Examination Example:
dilution → sample may be invalid.

A drug test kit shows a reactive

result for THC → presumptive
positive for marijuana.
Thank you for your
attention
Principle of Drug Test Using DTK

This kind of drug test is based on the principle of competitive Sinding. Drugs that may be
present in the urine specimen compete against the drug conjugate for binding the antibody.
During the testing, urine specimen migrates upward via capillary action.

2. Confirmatory test-This type of test uses GCMS as an instrument

Cut Off Values

Presumptive Positive- the urine sample has a concentration value that is above the cutoff
level.
Presumptive Negative- the urine sample has a concentration value that is below the cutoff
level.

It must be noted that a negative result does not indicate the absence of the analyte being
examined.
Parameters for Validity Tests

Initial Validity Test and Con rmato Validity Test

1. Physical characteristics, such as color, odor, etc., can be visually

determined

2. Volume same as the physical characteristics.

3. Temperature a thermometer can be used (normal urine has a

lukewarm temperature).

4. pH levels can be determined using a pH meter.

5. Speci c gravity can be determined using a refractometer.

7. Creatinine levels

6. Nitrites can be measured via the calorimetric method

8. Oxidizing agents
Analyzing the Color of a Urine Sample After Testing

White color
Also known as albinuria, white urine often appears milky white to thinly white.
Some diseases related to white urine
color include the following:

 Hyperoxaluria (ie., excess component of kidney stones known as oxalates)

 Lymphatic stula (i.e., abnormal connection between urina tract and
lymphatics)
 Chyluria (i.e., leakage of lymphatic uid in urine)
 Filariasis (roundworm infestation)
 Propofol infusion (i.e., injection with Propofol)
 Pyuria (i.e., pus cells in urine)
 Proteinuria (i.e., excessive protein in urine in kidney disease)
 Urina tuberculosis (i.e., TB of the urina tract)
 Hpercalciuria (i.e., elevated calcium in urine)
 Phosphaturia (i.c., phosphate in urine)
 Schistosomiasis (urine, parasitic infection with liver uke)
 Lipiduria (presence of fat cells in urine due to nephrotic syndrome)
Brown color

- It is often di cult to distinguish brown from dark red urine. In addition, brownish
urine color may be caused by the same diseases as those caused by red urine due
to the presence of blood in the urine Foods that produce brown urine include fava
beans and rhubarb, to name a few. ere are also some medications that
speci cally cause urine to turn brown, and these include the following:
Nitrofurantoin (treatment for urina tract infection) Metronidazole (antibiotic for
vaginal infections and amoebiasis) Acetaminophen overdose (pain reliever)
Niridazole (treatment against atworms
Orange color
Ranging from bright yellow-orange or dark yellow, this coloris often produced by lack of uid intake, dehydration or
urina tract infection (UTI).

Black color

Black urine disease, also known as alkaptonuria in a genetic disorder involving tyrosine and phenylalanine metabolism. e toxic
byproduct of this disease can cause hea valve damage, kidney stones, and osteoa hritis. Common medications that could
cause black urine are as follows:

 Sorbitol (Le., sugar alcohol found in apples, pears, peaches, prunes)

 Cresol (i.e., food additive in ketchup, cheese, bacon, smoked foods)
 Iron (Le., included in multivitamins)
 Methyldopa (ie., antihype ensive)
 Laxative (le., stool softener)
 Methocarbamol (i.e., muscle relaxant)
 L-dopa (i.e., anti-Parkinson's drug)
Blue or green color

Blue- or green-colored urine could be due to several diseases such as Blue Diaper Syndrome or
Ha nup Disease (i.e., defect in t ptophan absorption), biliverdin (liver disease), pseudomonas UTI
(antibiotic-resistant UTI), and herbicide ingestion.

ere are several medications that may cause the urine to turn into an unusual color, and these
include the following:

 Amitriptyline (i.c., anti-depressant)

 Methylene blue (ie, anti-malarial drug, dye, component of urina analgesic)
 Clorets breath mints
 Flupi ine (i.e., analgesic)
 Cimetidine (i.e., anti-ulcer)
THANK YOU