[Hair analysis of abused drugs with gas-chromatography mass spectrometry]

Abstract

Beside the traditionally used body-fluids, defining the abuse-material by the use of hair samples is more and more widespread in the forensic toxicological practice. Using the hair allows the rectrospective examination of the abuse-material, and due to the sensitive measuring technics, even one-time use can be proven. A further possibility is the segment-analysis which allows investigation of the abuse-history retroactive for months depending on the length of the hair. The quantitative parameters of the abuse can not always be estimated precisely since the details of the build-up in the hair are complicated and are not clear even today. Furthermore, the sampling, sample preparation and the measuring method will all influence the results. Our paper reviews the opiates, cocain, amfetamin derivatives, cannabinoids, alcohol-consumption markers and the frequently found drugs in the forensic toxicology as determined by using hair samples.