Capillary electrophoresis for the analysis of drugs of abuse in biological specimens of forensic interest

We review analytical methodologies using capillary electrophoresis and related techniques (micellar electrokinetic chromatography and capillary electrochromatography) with detection systems (ultraviolet-visible spectrometry, fluorescence, laser-induced fluorescence and mass spectrometry) for quantification of drugs of abuse and their metabolites in biological specimens of interest in forensic toxicology (e.g., blood, urine and hair). Despite some drawbacks that still need to be addressed and finally overcome when using this technique in forensic laboratories, the coupling of capillary electrophoresis and mass spectrometry generally provides a powerful option for detection and determination of very low concentrations of these compounds in some forensic matrices (e.g., hair).