Forensic Drug Testing

Abstract

The testing of biological specimens has become a major component in the identification and the treatment of drug misuse. Testing has been performed under the auspices of the military, the criminal justice system, the public sector, and the private sector. Urine remains the primary specimen for drug abuse testing, but other specimens such as oral fluid, sweat, and hair have also been used. Each testing program is different, but there are common components throughout the programs. Specimens are collected under a chain of custody that documents the location of the specimen from collection to disposal. No single test is used to identify a positive specimen; positive results are reported only after a positive initial test and a positive confirmation test. Concentration cutoffs are employed to distinguish negative from positive specimens. The analytical methods used must be validated prior to use on donor specimens. Moreover, a quality assurance program must be in place for all aspects of the process, from specimen collection to specimen testing to reporting of results. Some programs, such as the Department of Health and Human Services Program, require specimen validity tests to ensure the integrity of the specimen prior to receipt in the laboratory. To ensure continued acceptable laboratory performance, proficiency testing programs and laboratory accreditation are also components of the forensic drug-testing process. Drug use has become a significant medical and social problem in the United States (US). Financial and human resources have been expended in attempts to combat this problem. Actions have included drug interdiction; criminal penalties for cultivation, distribution, possession, and use of illicit drugs; and medical treatment of offenders and those individuals with drug use disorders. Chemical testing of biological specimens is generally accepted to be the most objective method for determining drug use.