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