The increasing workload in forensic laboratories in Kuwait often results in prolonged delays in
processing samples, which can significantly affect the reliability of drug detection in both postmortem cases and samples from living individuals. In light of this, an assessment of the stability
of drugs, such as the benzodiazepines (BDZs), amphetamines, opioids and other controlled
drugs like pregabalin and gabapentin which are commonly abused, becomes crucial in forensic
toxicology to determine the effects of storage on the viability of these samples. Chapter two of
this thesis addresses this issue by focusing on the development and validation of analytical
methods to detect five benzodiazepines (alprazolam, bromazepam, clonazepam, flunitrazepam,
and diazepam) that are commonly encountered during forensic investigations in Kuwait.
An HPLC method was designed and refined utilising International Council for Harmonisation
guidelines to ensure the accuracy, repeatability, and robustness of the method. The developed
method was applied to perform stability assessments on the chosen BDZs, revealing that the
integrity of samples diminishes significantly after three weeks at room temperature, while
refrigeration helps preserve sample integrity. These findings stress the importance of proper
storage conditions to maintain sample validity during forensic investigations.
In Chapter three, the real-world application of the developed method was explored by utilising
it to screen a collection of 48 urine samples collected from individuals under investigation for
suspected drug-related offenses. This revealed a high prevalence of BDZ use, with over 93%
of samples testing positive. The detection of flunitrazepam, in particular, highlights the
method’s sensitivity and potential role in supporting criminal investigations involving
controlled substances.
Beyond this, the research study included the development of an HPLC-MS method which
utilises a shorter column than the HPLC method, resulting in a significant reduction in analysis
time required per sample while maintaining accuracy and precision. This method can also be
extended to include metabolites, making it suitable for routine toxicological screening in
forensic laboratories. Chapter four contains a stand-alone study conducted during the COVID19 lockdown. The experiments in this study analysed a new oxazolidinone compound (PH192) with anticonvulsant potential. The study developed a UHPLC-QToF-MS method that was
successfully validated and applied to the analysis of the oxazolidinone compound (PH-192). Lastly, the studies in Chapter 5 sought to incorporate a broader drug screening approach for
the identification of a wide range of substances that are often abused in Kuwait, such as the
amphetamine, codeine diazepam and the controlled anticonvulsant drug pregabalin. An HPLCUV method was developed and validated, along with preliminary GC-MS analyses, to capture
both UV-active compounds and compounds with limited UV activity. The GC-MS method
requires further refinement; however, it shows strong potential for comprehensive
toxicological screening.
In summary, this research contributes to forensic science by offering reliable, validated
methods for drug detection, identification and stability evaluation utilising equipment that are
readily available in forensic laboratories in Kuwait. The findings not only enhance local
forensic capabilities but also provide a framework for broader applications in forensic
toxicology worldwide.
| Date of Award | 4 Jun 2026 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Awarding Institution | - University Of Strathclyde
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| Sponsors | Kuwait Cultural Office / EMBASSY OF THE STATE OF KUWAIT |
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| Supervisor | Ibrahim Khadra (Supervisor), Barry Moore (Supervisor) & Nicholas Rattray (Supervisor) |
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