The Analytical Toxicology Laboratory analyses for controlled substances in urine submitted by drug enforcement agencies in accordance to the Misuse of Drugs Act and the Misuse of Drugs (Urine Specimens and Urine Tests) Regulations.

The services also include the issuing of analytical reports and providing expert testimony in court proceedings.

In addition to providing analytical services, the laboratory also provides consultations and carries out research and investigative work to continuously improve and strengthen its analytical capability.

The Analytical Toxicology Laboratory has a team of 30 scientific and technical staff and analyses over 60,000 urine specimens a year. The laboratory uses a wide range of instruments which include auto-chemistry analyser, automatic solid-phase extractor, gas chromatography/mass spectrometer and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometer to carry out the analysis and investigative work.

To keep abreast with advances in its area of work, its scientific and technical staff attend regional and international forensic science meetings and workshops regularly. Together with other forensic laboratories in the Division, the Analytical Toxicology Laboratory is accredited by ASCLD/LAB in the area of toxicology (controlled drugs in urine).

• Clinical toxicology & Emergency toxicology
• Forensic toxicology
• Blood and urine alcohol analysis 
• Workplace drug testing 
• Pre-clinical trial screening 
• Therapeutic drug monitoring 
• Exhibits (tablets, capsules, etc.) of forensic nature for
  drugs and poisons screen 
• Provide training attachments to neighbouring countries

Purpose of Analysis

• Helps in the diagnosis and management of suspected drug
  overdose or exposure to environmental chemicals
• Measures therapeutic concentrations of drugs to help assess optimum dosage for the benefits of the patients
• Helps in ascertaining cases of fatal poisoning
• Helps monitor the usage of illicit drug at workplace that could affect the behaviour and alertness of employees
• To ascertain blood alcohol levels in suspected drunken drinking cases, road traffic accident cases, or other disorderly behaviour cases
• To ascertain drug-assisted crimes (e.g. rape, murder, theft)

 Submission Requirements

1. Disposable containers or tubes with leak-proof caps should be used.
   
   
2. The following requirements on antemortem specimens should be noted:
   
   (a) Blood for drugs screening: at least 3 ml (heparin tube)
   (b) Blood for alcohol determination: at least 3 ml (oxalate, heparin tube)
        Alcohol must not be used for swabbing the area to be punctured.
   (c) Urine: at least 20 ml (sterile plastic bottle)
   (d) Gastric aspirate: at least 10 ml (sterile plastic bottle)
   
   
3. If specimens need to be stored prior to dispatch to the laboratory, they should be kept at

   +4^oC.
   
   
4. Specimens should be legibly labelled and sealed.
   
   
5. Specimens should be submitted with a request form giving the following information:
   
   (a) particulars of patient;
   (b) signs, symptoms and conditions of the patient or brief medical history;
   (c) name of drugs or nature of poison(s)/toxic agent(s) suspected;
   (d) name and signature of the person requesting the analysis; and
   (e) any other information which may help the analyst in identifying the toxic agent(s). 

• Opiates
• Cannabinoids
• Amphetamines
• Ketamine and its metabolite
• Cocaine and its metabolite
• Benzodiazepines
• Buprenorphine and its metabolite

For further information, please contact us at: