Radioimmunological hair analysis for narcotics and substitutes

In recent years it has become possible to detect organic pharmaceuticals and poisons in a few milligrams of hair, using radioimmunological methods. Some methods are specific for individual compounds, others for groups of compounds. This is of great importance inter alia for forensic purposes, especially in cases of drug abuse. With the help of such hair analysis it is possible to trace the drug career of an addicted person for up to one year, and in certain cases for a longer period. Frequently, the results provide information on events in the rather distant past. This can be of considerable anamnestic and forensic importance.