Abstract
We described an estimation of measurement uncertainty in quantitative analysis of 11-nor-9-carboxy-${\Delta}^9$-tetrahydrocannabinol (THCCOOH), the major metabolite of ${\Delta}^9$-tetrahydrocannabinol, in urine sample by solid-phase extraction (SPE) and GC/MS detection. The analytical results were compared and the different contributions to the uncertainty were evaluated. Inter-day and inter-person validation were performed using statistical analysis of several indicative factors. Measurement uncertainty associated with target analyte in real forensic samples was estimated using quality control (QC) data. Traceability of measurement was established through traceable standards, calibrated volumetric glassware and volume measuring device. The major factors of contribution to combined standard uncertainty, were calibration linearity, inter-day repeatability and inter-person reproducibility, while those associated with preparation of analytical standards and sampling volume were not so important considering the degree of contribution. Relative combined standard uncertainties associated with the described method was 12.05% for THCCOOH.
