CHED 185 |
| Despite the increasing popularity of using human hair for purposes of drug analysis, there are several unanswered scientific questions which have influenced much opposition towards the validity of this method. Critics suggest the method is neither accurate nor precise enough in its findings to be involved in criminal law aspects of the justice system. Studies have found that several factors have effects on the diffusion rates of certain chemicals, producing false positives and negatives. Additional studies indicate there may be a degree of racial bias when using this method because it was found that higher amounts of melanin which are present in dark haired individuals have an increased retention of drug concentrations. The objective of this investigation is to compare the diffusion rates of different drug structures in human hair. We will also look for differences in the diffusion rates of common drugs in the absence and presence of melanin. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Analytical Chemistry
2:30 PM-4:30 PM, Monday, 11 September 2006 Moscone Center -- Hall D, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |