Citation

Arroyo A, Sánchez M, Barbería E, Barbal M, Marrón MT, Mora A. Med. Leg. J. 2013; 81(Pt 3): 135-143.

Affiliation

Institute of Legal Medicine of Catalonia, Gran Via Corts Catalanes 111, Edif G, Barcelona, Spain.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Medico-Legal Society, Publisher SAGE Publications)

DOI

10.1177/0025817213501782

PMID

24057314

Abstract

In recent years, the interest in oral fluid as a biological matrix has significantly increased, particularly for detecting driving under the influence of drugs. In this study, the concentration of cocaine and its relationship with clinical symptoms in drivers suspected of driving under the influence of drugs was evaluated. A total of 154 samples of oral fluid, which tested positive for cocaine in previous immunoassay screening, Cozart Drug Detector System, were confirmed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method. In Catalonia, during 2007-2010, there were 1791 samples positive for cocaine among a total of 3468 samples taken from drivers who tested positive for any drug of abuse. The evaluation of clinical symptoms was through a questionnaire that was filled in by the police officers who collected the samples. The mean concentration of cocaine was 4.11 mg/l and median concentration was 0.38 mg/l (range 0.01-345.64 mg/l). Clinical impairment symptoms such as motor coordination, walking, speech, mood and state of pupils were not significant. The testing of oral fluids presents fewer ethical problems than blood or urine.

Language: en