Practical experiences in application of hair fatty acid ethyl esters and ethyl glucuronide for detection of chronic alcohol abuse in forensic cases.

This article presents results from 1872 hair samples, which were analyzed for fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) and ethyl glucuronide (EtG). The results were evaluated in the context of self-reported drinking behavior, the use of hair cosmetics, the gender of the sample donors and hair sample length. For comparison, CDT and GGT in serum were available in 477 and 454 cases, respectively.

Fatty acid ethyl ester concentrations in hair and self-reported alcohol consumption in 644 cases from different origin.

For diagnosis of chronic alcohol abuse, fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) were determined in hair samples from 644 individuals, mainly parents from child protection cases. The analysis for ethyl myristate, ethyl palmitate, ethyl oleate and ethyl stearate was performed according to a validated procedure consisting of external degreasing by two times washing with n-heptane, extraction with a mixture of dimethylsulfoxide and n-heptane, separation and evaporation of the n-heptane layer, headspace solid phase microextraction of the residue after addition of phosphate buffer pH 7.6 and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using deuterated internal standards.

Crime scene investigations using portable, non-destructive space exploration technology.

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASAs) Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) have teamed up to explore the use of NASA developed technologies to help criminal justice agencies and professionals solve crimes. The objective of the program is to produce instruments and communication networks that have application within both NASA's space program and NIJ programs with state and local forensic laboratories. A working group of NASA scientists and law enforcement professionals has been established to develop and implement a feasibility demonstration program.

Matrix and modifier effects in the supercritical fluid extraction of cocaine and benzoylecgonine from human hair.

The supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) behavior of cocaine and its major metabolite benzoylecgonine (BZE) was investigated and found to be highly dependent upon the chemical nature of the matrix and the manner in which the target drug analytes are incorporated into or on the matrix. The recovery of cocaine from Teflon wool, filter paper, drug-fortified hair, and drug user hair was studied using a variety of CO2/modifier mixtures. Incorporation of a triethylamine (TEA)/water modifier mixture provided dramatic improvements in the recovery of cocaine from interactive matrixes.

Studies of reproductive competence in male Dirofilaria immitis treated with milbemycin oxime.

Normal adult Dirofilaria immitis from a microfilaremic donor dog and D. immitis from donors rendered microfilaria (MF) negative by seven consecutive monthly doses of milbemycin oxime (500 micrograms/kg) were transplanted into three previously uninfected and untreated dogs. Two dogs received reciprocal combinations of treated and untreated D.