ArticleForensic science, medicine, and pathology2016
The use of nails as an alternative matrix for the long-term detection of previous drug intake: validation of sensitive UHPLC-MS/MS methods for the quantification of 76 substances and comparison of analytical results for drugs in nail and hair samples.
Article in Forensic science, medicine, and pathology, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers.
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Who cites it
9 citing papers in PubMed.
- Benefits and Limitations Associated with the Use of Alternative Biological Matrices in Forensic Toxicology, as Well as Genetic Markers of Poisoning and Psychoactive Substance Abuse.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Review
- Current status of keratinized matrices in Toxicology: Comparison of hair and nails.Drug testing and analysis · 2025Review
- Assessment of pheniramine in alternative biological matrices by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.Forensic science, medicine, and pathology · 2024Article
- Review
- A Systematic Review of Metabolite-to-Drug Ratios of Pharmaceuticals in Hair for Forensic Investigations.Metabolites · 2021Review
- Hair and nail nicotine levels of mothers and their infants as valid biomarkers of exposure to intrauterine tobacco smoke.Tobacco induced diseases · 2021Article
- Detection and quantification of synthetic cathinones and selected piperazines in hair by LC-MS/MS.Forensic science, medicine, and pathology · 2020Article
- Undetectable Free Aromatic Amino Acids in Nails of Breast Carcinoma: Biomarker Discovery by a Novel Metabolite Purification VTGE System.Frontiers in oncology · 2020Article
- Combining ecological momentary assessment with objective, ambulatory measures of behavior and physiology in substance-use research.Addictive behaviors · 2018Review
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
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Abstract
purposeThis article describes the validation of multi-target methods for the determination of 76 different analytes in hair and nail samples. Segmented hair and nail samples taken from autopsy cases were included in this study.
methodDrugs of abuse, psychotropic drugs, and other drugs were included for the validation of this method. Hair and nail samples were ground using a ball mill and extracted for 18 h. Extracts were measured using a UHPLC-triple quadrupole-mass analyzer. Analytes were separated on a RP 18 column under gradient elution of the mobile phases, water with 0.1 % formic acid and acetonitrile. Whole nail and hair samples from seven autopsy cases were split into segments and analyzed.
resultsThe entire method was validated according to the German Society of Forensic Toxicology guidelines. In addition, the concentration ratios of selected substances and their metabolites were calculated. Similar concentration ratios in hair and nails were detected for 3,4-methylendioxyamphetamine (MDA)/3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA), 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP)/methadone, and bisnortilidine/nortilidine in some of the cases. Reduced 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM) and cocaine concentrations were observed as a result of sample preparation using the ball mill. Previous heroin intake could be assumed from the detection of 6-MAM and morphine in only one nail segment in one case.
conclusionsNail samples may serve as an alternative matrix for the detection of long-term consumption of a wide range of drugs. Based on our results, drug concentrations in nails are not comparable to those in hair. The main mechanisms for drug incorporation into the nails may be during the formation of the nail plate by the germinal matrix. However, external contamination can also affect the analysis of nail clippings.
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