Drugs-of-Abuse in Nails.

The utility of nails in forensic toxicology for the analysis of drugs-of-abuse is examined. This chapter reviews the basic structure of the nail, mechanisms of drug incorporation, drugs-of-abuse that have been detected in nails, analytical methodologies, interpretation of results, advantages and disadvantages, and a chronological review of the literature. Drugs-of-abuse that are discussed within this chapter include amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA/MDA, cocaine and its metabolites, morphine, codeine, 6-acetylmorphine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, methadone, cannabinoids, and phencyclidine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]