Chapter 11: Seized Drug Analysis

alkaloids

Substance formed in the plant tissues and in the bodies of animals. Morphine and codeine are alkaloids of opium.

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

A group that establishes national and international standard practices for procedures and analyses.

Botanical Examinations

Study of various plant structures, such as roots, stems, branches, leaves, fruits, or flowers, that may be used to determine time and season of death as well as possible prior location of remains.

chemical color tests

Chemical reactions producing colors when compounds or classes of compounds are brought into contact with various chemical reagents.

clandestine drug laboratories

Illicit location that manufactures controlled substances.

Controlled Substances Act (CSA)

Legislation in the United States that defines illegal drugs and classifies them by Schedules.

Cutting Agents

A substance added to an illicit drug to reduce the concentration.

Cystolithic (bear-claw shaped) hair

microscopic feature found on the upper surface of the leaves of marijuana

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

The U.S. government agency responsible for regulation of controlled drugs.

Duquenois-Levine test

Chemical color test used to confirm the presence of cannabinoids in plant material.

Extractions

Separation of the compound of interest from the rest of the sample.

Hashish

The resin from marijuana that has been isolated from the plant material.

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy

Use of the absorption of infrared radiation to produce a chemical fingerprint of a substance; also referred to as IR spectroscopy.

Liquid extraction

use of unknown substance’s solubility in extraction techniques

Macroscopic examination

Visual examination generally performed with the unaided eye; used to identify class characteristics.

Mescaline

A hallucinogen found in cactus buttons.

Microcrystalline tests

A reaction between the compound of interest and chemical reagent that results in the formation of unique crystals that can be observed with the microscope.

Over-the-counter (OTC)

Medicines that can be purchased without a prescription.

Psilocin

hallucinogenic principle contained in certain mushrooms, notably the Mexican species Psilocybe mexicana and P. cubensis

Psilocybin

a hallucinogenic alkaloid, found in some toadstools.

standards

address the sampling, identification, and testing of a wide range of drugs in the context of a forensic investigation

SWGDRUG

Scientific Working Group for the Analysis of Seized Drugs.

wet chemical procedures

Procedures that involve solvents, extractions, etc .; not instrumental.

marijuana/ peyote/ opium/ mushrooms

List two plants that are considered controlled substances that require a botanical examination as part of the identification process.

when identifying plants or plant material not the specific psychoactive components; ex. to know the physical attributes of the plant

When is it necessary to confirm the identity of the controlled substance in plant material? Give an example.

chemical color test, microcrystal test, liquid extractions, TLC

List four wet chemical techniques that can be used in the analysis of controlled substances.

microcrystal tests & liquid extractions

List two wet chemical techniques that can be used as both screening tools and sample preparation techniques.

mixture of the drug takes longer, and in case of color tests the color is influenced by the plant

List two disadvantages to wet chemical techniques.

GC-MS, IR Spectroscopy

List two specific and two nonspecific instrumental techniques.

known and unknown substance data done with the same reagents and process

What information should accompany instrumental data?

when it matches the mass spectrum of an unknown substance with a known reference spectrum

When is a library search considered a confirmation and why?

IR because it changes the vibrations which changes the peaks

Which instrumental technique's spectra are most subject to variations due to sample preparation techniques? Why?

botanical, chemical, instrumental

List three quantitation techniques in order from most specific to least specific.

A forensic chemistry degree with specialized training in clandestine labs

Describe the minimum qualifications for a clandestine lab chemist.

Schedule I

high abuse potential, no medical use; ex. heroin, LSD, and weed

Schedule II

high abuse potential, but do have medical use; ex. morphine, cocaine, and meth

Schedule III

less abuse potential, increased medical use; ex. anabolic steroids, some codeine & barbiturate preparations

Schedule IV

further decreased abuse potential, further increased medical use; ex. valium

Schedule V

low abuse potential, abundant medical use; ex. OTC cough medicines with codeine