An investigation of the use of alternative matrices in clinical and forensic toxicology

Griffiths, Jody Louise (2013). An investigation of the use of alternative matrices in clinical and forensic toxicology. University of Birmingham. M.Phil.

Preview

Griffiths13MPhil.pdf
PDF - Accepted Version
Download (2MB)

Abstract

Blood and urine are routinely used for toxicological analysis but there could be some circumstances where the analysis of alternative matrices may prove to be more relevant or more convenient. It is not uncommon for blood and / or urine to not be available, e.g. in some post-mortem cases and it can be difficult to analyse and interpret results for matrices that are not routinely used. Oral fluid, stomach contents, vitreous humour, bile and liver were analysed alongside blood and / or urine. Techniques used included immunoassay, HPLC-DAD, LC-MS, GC-MS and GC-FID depending on the analytes to be detected. The results revealed that for drug screening the majority of drugs and metabolites that were detected in blood and urine were also detected in the alternative matrices. Where it was possible to quantify drug concentrations, little correlation was found between blood and the alternative matrices. The alternative matrices investigated have proved to be very effective for the screening of drugs and when analysed alongside traditional matrices or in conjunction with each other, the results can provide a very good insight into an individual’s drug use.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Phil.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.Phil.

Supervisor(s):