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01-07-2012 | Case Report

Hair analysis interpretation of an unusual case of alleged scopolamine-facilitated sexual assault

Authors: Ana de Castro, Elena Lendoiro, Óscar Quintela, Marta Concheiro, Manuel López-Rivadulla, Angelines Cruz

Published in: Forensic Toxicology | Issue 2/2012

Abstract

The apparent victim in an alleged scopolamine-facilitated sexual assault case requested a toxicological hair analysis. Hair decontamination wash solvents were evaporated and stored until analysis. Hair was incubated with 2 ml of 0.01 M phosphate buffer (pH 8.4), and liquid–liquid extracted. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric analysis of hair extracts revealed the presence of scopolamine at concentrations lower than the limit of quantification. However, scopolamine was also present in the last of the wash solvents, with wash/hair ratios >4, suggesting external contamination of the hair rather than drug use. These findings emphasize the importance of analyzing wash solvents for the correct interpretation of results in toxicological hair analysis.

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Title: Hair analysis interpretation of an unusual case of alleged scopolamine-facilitated sexual assault
Authors: Ana de Castro
Elena Lendoiro
Óscar Quintela
Marta Concheiro
Manuel López-Rivadulla
Angelines Cruz
Publication date: 01-07-2012
Publisher: Springer Japan
Published in: Forensic Toxicology / Issue 2/2012
Print ISSN: 1860-8965
Electronic ISSN: 1860-8973
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11419-012-0141-x

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Hair analysis interpretation of an unusual case of alleged scopolamine-facilitated sexual assault

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