The one step specimen validity test is a semi-quantitative and color comparison screen for detecting the presence of drug in the specimen. This test is used to check the urine specimen prior to the drug testing and verify whether any substances are diluted in it. The specimen validity test detects the adulterants such as Oxidant/PCC, Specific Gravity, pH, Glutaraldehyde, Nitrites and Creatinine in the specimen.
Adulterant Testing Strips:
The adulterant testing strips enables to detect the drug traces in the specimen. Some drug abusers attempt to tamper the test results. In such cases, to know the actual result, get an adulterant test. The test results are based on the color resulting from the chemical reaction on each test strip and the urine specimen.The adulterant testing strips contain six reagent pads. To conduct an adulterant test, the strip has to be dipped in the specimen and check the color of the strip. Compare the resulted color with the printed color chart on the container.
Precautions:
The following are the major precautions for the adulterant testing strips:
?It is only for the forensic use.
?They shouldn't be used after the expiration date.
?The canister's seal shouldn't be opened till it is used.
?Consider the specimens as the hazardous substance and handle it like an infectious agent.
?Discard the strip after using it as per the regulations of the regime.
Detection of the adulterants in the specimen
The efficient way of detecting the adulterant is to determine the urinary characteristics such as,
?Creatinine - It is an amino acid that is present in the muscle tissue, contained in the urine. Creatinine can be used as the indicator for dilution of specimen and identifies its foiling.
?Nitrates - These chemicals are not found in the human urine. It is used in the adulterants like, Klear and Whizzies for oxidizing and destroying the cannabinoid metabolite. If nitrates are present in urine then the specimen is tempered.
?Glutaraldehyde - It is a chemical composite, which is used to disrupt the enzyme in the EMIT assay method. It is contained in the adulterants like, UrinAid and Clear Choice. When Glutaraldehyde is found, the specimen indicates adulteration.
?Oxidants - It is the chemical compound that includes adulterants like, bleach and hydrogen peroxide and Pyridinium chlorochromate in the specimen. The existence of Oxidants in the specimen indicates adulteration.
?pH - It is used for testing the existence of acidic or alkaline adulterants in the specimen. The standard pH level ranges between 4.0 and 9.0 and if the test result is out of this range, it can be considered as adulteration.
?Specific Gravity - The normal range of the specific gravity is between the 1.003 and 1.030. If the test results out of this range, consider that specimen is tampered.
This information gives you awareness about the specimen validity test and detection of adulterants in the specimen.
