The detection of drug analytes in hair matrices forms one of the cornerstones of forensic toxicology and is routinely used in cases where the detection of drug use over a prolonged time window is required. Unlike blood and urine matrices, drug metabolites in hair can be detected weeks or months after drug use, depending on the length of hair tested. Hair testing is ideal for cases in which determining single or chronic drug use is required. This research is focusing on the development and validation of a Gas Chromatography (GC-MS) method for the detection of cannabis and its metabolites in hair samples.
I graduated from Kingston University in 2020 with a First class Honours degree in Forensic Science. Throughout my studies and after a laboratory based internship, I developed a keen interest in Forensic Toxicology and in my final year I completed my dissertation on the effects of body water composition on the metabolism and distribution of alcohol. After graduation I was eager to continue with research in the field of Toxicology and expand my knowledge of other drugs of abuse which inspired me to apply for an MSc by Research degree focusing on the detection of cannabinoids in hair.
Taylor L, Remeškevicius V, Saskoy L, Brodie T, Mahmud J, Moir H, Brouner J, Howe C, That B, O'Connell S, Trotter G, Rooney B, Determination of ethanol in micro-volumes of blood by head- space gas chromatography: Statistical comparison between ca- pillary and venous sampling sites, Med. Sci. Law, 2020, 61(2), doi: 10.1177/0025802420928632.