Judicial applications of hair testing for addicts in Crete: sectional hair analysis of heavy heroin abusers.

Laboratory examination of hair from drug users has been employed for the last 5 years in Crete, in addition to the psychiatric or other forensic clinical examinations necessary for the confirmation of a person's use of drugs. The present study reports results of total and sectional head, axillary and pubic hair analysis of imprisoned abusers under interrogation and awaiting presentation at the Crime Court. Morphine levels in total head hair samples 1, 2 and 4 months after preliminary imprisonment ranged from 1.2 to 38.2, 0.5 to 22.5 and 0.1 to 4.9 ng/mg of hair respectively, while the maximum morphine levels amongst all studied groups of those arrested were found in the sections of axillary and pubic hair. Notably high morphine levels in head, axillary and pubic hair sections (13.7, 8.4 and 18.1) ng/mg respectively) were measured, even in abusers who had been imprisoned between 2 and 4 months. Hair tests may considerably assist to evaluate the systematic present and past abuse of heroin and other drugs. Consequently, it may be used as valuable expertise evidence during questioning and in court.