Forensic application of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in hair analysis: Extraction and identification of Diazepam and Lorazepam

CHED 226

Jana A. James, jjames@ycp.edu, Department of Chemistry, York College of Pennsylvania, Country Club Road, York, PA 17405-7199 and Gregory P. Foy, gfoy@ycp.edu, Physical Sciences Department, York College of Pennsylvania, Country Club Road, York, PA 17405.
When prescription drugs such as Valium (Diazepam) and Ativan (Lorazepam) are orally ingested, these benzodiazepines are known to possess amnesiac effects. In high doses (>20 mg), the sedative results are used to facilitate sexual assault due to their ability to render victims submissive, compliant and unable to defend themselves. These benzodiazepines are metabolized in the kidneys and exit the body within two days, making the drugs difficult to detect. Diazepam and Lorazepam have known metabolites that remain in hair for up to 90 days after ingestion. The extraction of Diazepam, Lorazepam and their metabolites from hair of two individuals using three extraction methods (sonication, digestion, and Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE)) will be described. The results from gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) methods used to identify and quantify the drugs in the hair will also be discussed.
 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Analytical Chemistry
11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008