Evans J.

Forensic Science Service, Washington Hall, Euxton, Chorley, Lancashire, England

A high proportion of the samples analyzed by the Toxicology Section of the Forensic Science Service are whole blood with significant number of them being in a state of decomposition when submitted. Up until recently the screening of these samples for drugs of abuse has utilized radioimmunoassay. However, with the problems associated with the disposal of the radioactive waste from these assays coupled with the high cost of the necessary licensing it was decided to investigate the possibility of adopting a non-isotopic method.
There are very few commercially available assays which claim to work on whole blood and those which do have only a limited range available. However, Cozart Bioscience were found to have the most extensive range and thus it was decided to evaluate their drugs of abuse assays with a view to their introduction into casework.
This paper outlines the evaluation work undertaken in conjunction with Cozart prior to the introduction of the technique into casework and how it has performed in casework during the first six months of its use.