Tsuchihashi H, Nakajima K, Nishikawa M, Suzuki S, Oka Y, Otsuki K
Forensic Science Laboratory, Osaka Prefectural Police Headquarters, Japan.
Forensic Sci Int. 1990 Mar;45(1-2):181-9. doi: 10.1016/0379-0738(90)90235-q.
An accurate and simple screening method of stimulants in human urine using headspace gas chromatography utilizing heat of dissolution of potassium carbonate was developed. A 4.9-g portion of potassium carbonate was put into the vial prior to sending to the field, and a 5-ml aliquot of urine, suspected of containing stimulants and internal standard components was pipetted. After the vial was sealed and shaken by hand, 1 ml of its headspace gas was taken by disposable syringe and injected into the gas chromatograph. A compact gas chromatograph device with flame ionization detector and fused silica capillary column was developed for this experiment. Detection limits of methamphetamine and amphetamine were 1.0 micrograms/ml and 1.5 micrograms/ml, respectively.
