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   What do they mean?

scalesWhat is a Drug Screen?

A drug screen is just that, a screen. It tells you whether a sample is negative or positive for a certain drug or group of drugs (i.e., Opiates and Methamphetamines are groups of drugs, PCP is a single drug). All drug screens are done using an Immunoassay procedure. This is done by injecting a rabbit with a certain drug, the rabbit produces antibodies, and the antibodies are harvested. These antibodies are then mixed with a test sample (urine, blood, saliva, hair, or other substance) to see if there is a reaction to the antibody. If there is a strong enough reaction, then the drug is greater than the screen’s threshold level and the test sample may be called positive. While a screen gives a positive or negative result, it DOES NOT tell you how much drug is in the sample. The sample should go for further testing to positively identify and quantitate the exact drug that might be in the sample. Because the above procedure is just a screen, it may cross react with other chemicals/drugs that are structurally similar to each other. An example is Ephedrine and other cold pills cross reacting with a Methamphetamine or Amphetamine screen. Another reason a screen may give a false positive is due to reactions with other medications.

We call screening the “bunny test.”

What is a Drug Confirmation?

A drug confirmation is when the drug is chemically identified and quantitated with the newest and best instruments that science has available. These are called Mass Spectrometers (MS). Mass Spectrometers can identify a drug carbon by carbon and hydrogen by hydrogen. Each drug is structurally different, has a different shape, and mass. These Mass Spectrometers can tell the difference between cold pills and Methamphetamine. Forensic Fluids Laboratories, is only one of a few labs that has a tandem Mass Spectrometer or an MS/MS which is the most sensitive instrument available. This MS/MS can detect lower levels than a single MS, and is also more accurate at identifying drugs. We call confirmation the “conclusive instrument test”

What test result would you want: the bunny or the scientific instrument?

Why Saliva Testing?

Saliva results give you an actual drug concentration of what is in the body, at the time of the test, or a measure of impairment. Unlike a urine test which measures a metabolite and may not correspond with impairment at all. Think of saliva as equivalent to serum, through oral glands, instead of a needle. Saliva testing for ease of administration can’t be beat! A person cannot cheat or tamper with it like a urine test. No more gender issues, now you can have respect, not embarrassment, with drug testing. Saliva testing puts an end to spilled urine. Testing can be done anywhere, anytime, with no special facilities (ie toilet).

Will it be admissible in court?

Saliva test results have been admitted in Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Missouri, and most other states. Most state statutes will allow the testing of any “bodily fluid” for court purposes. Please call if you want a copy of your state statute.

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Forensic Fluids Laboratories, 225 Parsons Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 - (269) 492-7700