NCJ Number
198083
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 47 Issue: 6 Dated: November 2002 Pages: 1380-1387
Editor(s)
Michael A. Peat Ph.D.
Date Published
November 2002
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study examined and assessed the use of oral fluid and sweat wipes as a rapid on-site screening test in detecting drug abuse in drivers in Belgium.
Abstract
In Belgium, an initial suspicion of impairment is established using a drug recognition test battery, based on external signs of substance abuse and on some well-defined psychomotor tests. However, oral fluid and sweat testing offer a non-invasive way of screening at the roadside and the possibility of direct supervision handling. In this study, newly trained police officers evaluated drivers at special enforcement roadblocks. Oral fluid and sweat samples for 180 and 135 subjects were quantitatively analyzed and compared to the corresponding plasma and urine laboratory results. Results are presented through the analysis of plasma samples, analysis of oral fluid samples, analysis of sweat wipes, and screening at the roadside with Drugwipe. Several conclusions were drawn that included: (1) a positive oral fluid result closely related to the presence of drugs in plasma; (2) the choice of collection protocol was extremely important for the detection of recent cannabis use; (3) a controlled and reproducible sampling technique will be key in designing a reliable screening test; (4) cut-off levels of the screening test should be chosen in order to optimize the detection of positive plasma; (5) a positive sweat test seemed a good indication of recent use of cocaine and amphetamines; (6) the use of oral fluid and sweat would facilitate the procedure to screen for recent drug use; and (7) the version of Drugwipe used is not recommended for detecting drug abuse. Tables and references