Method for sample identification in a mammal as well as a kit for performing this method

Abstract

Method as well a kit for the performance of the method for the investigation of biological samples from a mammal for at least one component, wherein the method includes the following steps: (a) Administering at least one marker substance to a mammal; (b) Waiting for a length of time which is sufficient for the at least one marker substance to reach the location of sample removal; (c) Removing a biological sample from the mammal; (d) Investigating the biological sample for the presence and/or amount of at least one marker substance or a derivative thereof; and, if the at least one marker substance or the derivative thereof is detectable in the biological sample; (e) Investigating the biological sample for an analyte.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for identifying a urine sample as coming from an individual, comprising:
 (a) orally administering two or more polyethylene glycols of different molecular weights to the individual;   (b) waiting for a length of time sufficient for the polyethylene glycols to be present in the urine of the individual and then collecting a urine sample from the individual;   (c) investigating the urine sample for the presence of the administered polyethylene glycols to identify the urine sample as coming from the individual; and,   (d) performing an assay on the urine sample that directly measures the presence or amount of an analyte.   
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein two polyethylene glycols of different molecular weights are administered. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein three polyethylene glycols of different molecular weights are administered. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein four polyethylene glycols of different molecular weights are administered. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein said length of time is at least 30 minutes and no more than four hours. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein said polyethylene glycols of different molecular weights are detected by means of gas chromatography (GC), gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS). 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein said individual is an athlete. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein said individual is a drug addict. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  wherein said analyte is a drug. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  wherein said analyte is an intoxicant. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1  wherein said analyte is a doping substance. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10  wherein said intoxicant is heroin. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10  wherein said intoxicant is methadone. 
     
     
       14. A method for the investigation of identifying a urine sample as coming from an individual who is a drug addict or athlete, comprising:
 (a) orally administering two or more polydispersed polyethylene glycols of different average molecular weights to the individual; 
 (b) waiting for a length of time sufficient for the polyethylene glycols to be present in the urine of the individual and then collecting a urine sample from the individual; 
 (c) investigating the urine sample for the presence of the administered polyethylene glycols to identify the urine sample as coming from the individual; and 
 (d) performing an assay on the urine sample that directly measures the presence or amount of an analyte selected from the group consisting of a drug, intoxicant and doping substance. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14  wherein two polydispersed polyethylene glycols of different average molecular weights are administered. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14  wherein three polydispersed polyethylene glycols of different average molecular weights are administered. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14  wherein four polydispersed polyethylene glycols of different average molecular weights are administered. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14  wherein said individual is addicted to heroin. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 14  wherein said individual is a methadone user. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 14  wherein said length of time is at least 30 minutes and no more than four hours. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 14  wherein said polydispersed polyethylene glycols of different average molecular weights are detected by means of gas chromatography (GC), gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS). 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 14  wherein said analyte is a drug. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 14  wherein said analyte is an intoxicant. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 14  wherein said analyte is a doping substance. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 23  wherein said intoxicant is heroin. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 23  wherein said intoxicant is methadone. 
     
     
       27. A method for the investigation of identifying a urine sample as coming from an individual, comprising:
 (a) orally administering two or more monodispersed polyethylene glycols of different molecular weights to the individual; 
 (b) waiting at least 30 minutes and no more than four hours after administering to collect for a length of time sufficient for the polyethylene glycols to be present in the urine of the individual and then collecting a urine sample from the individual; 
 (c) investigating the urine sample for the presence of the administered polyethylene glycols to identify the urine sample as coming from the individual; and 
 (d) performing an assay on the urine sample that directly measures the presence or amount of an analyte. 
 
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 27  wherein said analyte is selected from the group consisting of a drug, intoxicant and doping substance. 
     
     
       29. The method of claim 27 wherein two monodispersed polyethylene glycols of different molecular weights are administered.  
     
     
       30. The method of claim 27 wherein three monodispersed polyethylene glycols of different molecular weights are administered.  
     
     
       31. The method of claim 27 wherein four monodispersed polyethylene glycols of different molecular weights are administered.  
     
     
       32. The method of claim 27 wherein said length of time is at least 30 minutes and no more than four hours.  
     
     
       33. The method of claim 27 wherein said monodispersed polyethylene glycols of different molecular weights are detected by means of gas chromatography (GC), gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS).  
     
     
       34. The method of claim 27 wherein the individual is a drug addict.  
     
     
       35. The method of claim 27 wherein the individual is an athlete.  
     
     
       36. The method of claim 27 wherein the analyte is heroin or methadone.  
     
     
       37. The method of claim 14 wherein the individual is an athlete.