Substance Abuse Testing of Urine by GC/MS in Scanning Mode Evaluated by Proficiency Studies, TLC/GC, and EMIT

• NCJ Number: 140921
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 38 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1993) Pages: 124-133
• Author(s): R P Gibb; H Cockerham; G A Goldfogel; G M Lawson; V A Raisys
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Technical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Paper presented at the 43rd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 1991, Anaheim, California

Annotation

Using gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) in the scanning mode as a screening and identification method for substance abuse testing, 4,500 urine samples were analyzed.

Abstract

Urine samples were obtained from inpatient and outpatient drug treatment programs, industry, and forensic investigations. Samples, after being subjected to two sets of extraction, were then analyzed using GC/MS. Mass spectra were matched using a probability-based matching algorithm against a laboratory-generated library containing 430 compounds, including 140 parent drugs, metabolites, and derivatives. The accuracy and sensitivity of the GC/MS technique was evaluated with the following: results of 92 proficiency sample analyses; reanalyses by thin layer chromatography screening with GC confirmation of 125 samples from forensic sources; and reanalyses by enzyme multiplied immunoassay screening of seven drug groups confirmed by GC/MS evaluation of 590 industry and treatment samples. GC/MS in the scanning mode proved to be an excellent alternative to immunoassay testing for drugs of abuse in urine. The technique provided sensitivity and specificity without risk of false positives. 9 references, 4 tables, and 1 figure