Benzoylecgonine (Cocaine Metabolite) Detection in Hair Samples of Jail Detainees Using Radioimmunoassay (RIA) and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)

• NCJ Number: 131264
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 36 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1991) Pages: 1179-1185
• Author(s): S A Reuschel; F P Smith
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Test/Measurement
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Hair samples collected from detainees at the Jefferson County Jail in Birmingham, Alabama were analyzed for the presence of benzoylecgonine with a radioimmunoassay (RIA) and confirmed by selected ion monitoring gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).

Abstract

Samples collected anonymously from 48 detainees weighed between 5.3 and 61.2 milligrams (mg). Hair sample colors included black, gray, red, blond and a variety of textures including straight, very curly, and curly. Using RIA, BE was detected in 22 of the samples. However, in each general category there were samples which contained BE as well as other samples which did not reveal detectable amounts of BE. All of the 22 hair samples which showed RIA results above 1.25 nanograms/sample were then confirmed for benzoylecgonine (BE) by GS/MS. These BE concentrations ranged from 0.26 to 18 ng BE/mg per hair. In comparison with other reports of cocaine related substances in hair, these data show consistent concentrations. These results substantiate that BE can be detected and confirmed in hair and can provide useful quantitative information for forensic toxicologist. 1 table and 26 references (Author abstract modified)