[Analytical confirmation of error in false positive amphetamine immunoassays and results]

Numerous urine samples were found to be positive when using a new amphetamine immunoassay (AxSYM). Confirmation analysis was carried out in a second laboratory at "reasonable prices" using a simple TLC-method with non specific ninhydrine detection and resulted in many "positive" confirmation findings. The GC/MS analysis clearly indicated the absence of amphetamine derivatives regularly encountered in forensic toxicology. The false-positive immunochemical findings may probably be caused by endogenous substances.