Research article summary (published 3 Jun 2009):

Distribution of methamphetamine and amphetamine in drug abusers' head hair.

Full Abstract

In order to aid the interpretation of hair results from methamphetamine (MA) abusers the MA and amphetamine (AP) concentrations in 2070 hair samples were statistically evaluated. The MA and AP concentrations in hair were put into three groups arbitrarily representing low, medium and high ranges and the metabolite-to-parent drug ratios of each group were examined. The concentration ranges proposed here were also applied to the interpretation of five authentic cases. The low, medium and high ranges of MA were 0.5-4.2, 4.2-24.5 and 24.5-608.9 ng/mg and those of AP were 0.1-0.4, 0.4-1.7 and 1.7-41.4 ng/mg. The AP-to-MA ratios showed large variation but a tendency that it decreased as the MA ranges increased. This evaluation was very useful to presume the severity of individuals' MA abuse and to provide law enforcement agencies more understandable information. It could also facilitate the court's decision regarding specific circumstances surrounding the drug-related crimes.

Author information

Author/s: Lee, Sooyeun (S); Han, Eunyoung (E); Park, Yonghoon (Y); Choi, Hwakyung (H); Chung, Heesun (H);

Affiliation: National Institute of Scientific Investigation, 331-1 Sinwol-7-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul 158-707, Republic of Korea. sylee21(-atsign-)nisi.go.kr

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Forensic science international (Forensic Sci Int), published in Ireland. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 190 (issue 1-3) : pp 16-8

Dates: Created 2009/07/27; Completed 2009/10/29;

PMID: 19501481, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 10/29/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Amphetamine - analysis Amphetamine-Related Disorders - diagnosis Central Nervous System Stimulants - analysis Forensic Toxicology Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Hair - chemistry Humans Methamphetamine - analysis Reference Values Substance Abuse Detection

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

Associated Chemicals: Central Nervous System Stimulants (0) ; Amphetamine (300-62-9) ; Methamphetamine (537-46-2)

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