The detection of over 200 targeted drug analytes in oral fluid by LC-MS/MS
Embargo Date
2028-02-10
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
Illicit drug use and driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) cases in the United States (U.S.) have risen alongside the number and potency of drugs available on the market. As a result, forensic laboratories have experienced an increase in overall caseloads as well as analytical challenges associated with drug detection. One solution to address these issues is the application of more advanced instrumentation and analytical methods. They can provide faster and more efficient testing platforms and improve overall drug detection due to an increase in analytical sensitivity. While blood is the preferred biological matrix for forensic toxicology testing, alternatives such as oral fluid are gaining traction. Oral fluid drug results are generally comparable to those in blood and collection is less invasive and easier, making it an ideal matrix option.
This study has sought to incorporate oral fluid into the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the City and County of San Francisco (SF OCME) existing toxicological regime, as well as adding more prevalent and novel drugs to its scope. QuantisalTM devices were used for sample collection followed by protein precipitation and filtration extraction. After sample cleanup, an 8-minute liquid-chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was performed for confirmatory analysis. Method validation was performed in accordance with American National Standards Institute/Academy Standards Board (ANSI/ASB) Standard 036, Standard Practices for Method Validation in Forensic Toxicology, and the National Safety Council – Alcohol, Drugs, and Impairment Division (NSC-ADID) recommendations were used for the cutoff values in oral fluid. This method is the only known analysis to include over 200 multi-class drugs in oral fluid and meet the NSC-ADID Tier I and Tier II recommendations. It can be readily implemented in routine forensic toxicology casework as well as clinical settings.
Description
2025