Abstract:

Recently, with the development of precise and selective analytical techniques, the use of alternative biological samples has increased. Particularly in cases of decomposes and purification postmortem or in cases where blood or urine samples are not taken, keratin-made biological samples such as hair and nails have attracted the interest of judicial and clinical toxicologists. Drugs, chemicals, sleep-drugs, heavy metals can be accumulated in long-term hair and nails. In cases where the hair sample, which is a good indicator in past use, is insufficient, the nail sample can be useful for toxic analysis. Due to the complex structure of the nail matrix and the low concentration of the drug detected in the nail, the sample preparation process and the analytical methods to be used are important. This study will explore the anatomical structure of the nails used as an alternative in toxic analysis, the analytical methods in the nails analysis, the advantages/disadvantages of the use of nails and how the analysis results will be interpreted.

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