[TOXI] NATURAL TOXINS AND SYNTHETIC POISONS

• Opioids (e.g. morphine, heroin)

• MDMA, amphetamines

**Marquis Test - Target Poisons

Purple

Marquis Test - Positive result for heroin & morphine (opioids)

Orange

Marquis Test - Positive result for amphetamines

Marquis Test

Reacts with alkaloids and certain drugs to produce a color change

Alkaloids, phenols, salicylates

Liebermann’s Test - Target Poisons

Violet

**Liebermann’s Test - Positive result for phenols

Yellow/orange

Liebermann’s Test - Positive result for alkaloids

Liebermann’s Test

Detects alkaloids and certain drugs by color changes in acidic conditions

Alcohols, aldehydes, reducing agents

Chromic Acid Test - Target Poisons

Green

**Chromic Acid Test - Color produced when reducing agents are present

Chromic Acid Test

Detects reducing agents by oxidation

Sulfides, ketones, thiols, amphetamines

Sodium Nitroprusside Test - Target Poisons

Purple

**Sodium Nitroprusside Test - Positive result for amphetamines

Sodium Nitriprusside Test

Reacts with sulfides or certain drugs to form a color change

Phenols, salicylates (e.g. Aspirin)

Ferric Chloride Test - Target Poisons

Purple/blue

Ferric Chloride Test - Positive result for salicylates

Ferric Chloride Test

**Reacts with phenols, salicylates, and other acidic compounds

Starch-based poisons or contamination

**Iodine Test - Target Poisons

Blue-black color

Iodine Test - Positive result for starch

Iodine Test

Detects starch or polysaccharides

Alkaloids

**Dragendorff’s Test - Target Poisons

Orange-red precipitate

Dragendorff’s Test - Presence of alkaloids

Dragendorff’s Test

Identifies alkaloids via precipitation

Cyanide (hydrogen cyanide, cyanide salts)

Cyanide Test (Prussian Blue) - Target Poisons

Blue

Cyanide Test (Prussian Blue) - Presence of cyanide

Cyanide Test (Prussian Blue)

Reacts with cyanide to form a blue complex

Cyanide, chloride, bromide compounds

Silver Nitrate Test - Target Poisons

White precipitate

Silver Nitrate Test - Positive result for cyanides or halides

Silver Nitrate Test

Reacts with halides or certain poisons to form precipitates

• Acids (e.g. HCl, sulfuric acid)

• Alkalis (e.g. NaOH)

Acid-Alkali Reaction Test - Target Poisons

pH < 7 : Acids

pH > 7 : Alkalis

Acid-Alkali Reaction Test - Results

Acid-Alkali Reaction Test

Identifies corrosive acids or alkalis by pH testing

Ammonium salts, nitrogen-based poisons

Nessler’s Reagent Test - Target Poisons

Yellow to brown precipitate

Nessler’s Reagent Test - Presence of ammonia

Nessler’s Reagent Test

Detects ammonia or ammonium salts

Arsenic, mercury, bismuth, antimony

**Reinsch Test - Target Poisons

Dark coating on copper strip

Reinsch Test - Presence of heavy metals

Reinsch Test

Identifies heavy metals by deposition on a copper strip

Nitrates, nitrites

Paraffin Test (Diphenylamine Test) - Target Poisons

Blue

Paraffin Test (Diphenylamine Test) - Presence of nitrates or nitrites

Paraffin Test (Diphenylamine Test)

Detects nitrates and nitrites from explosive materials or chemical fertilizers

Lead and its compounds

Lead Test - Target Poisons

Black precipitate with H2S

Lead Test - Presence of lead

Lead Test

Reacts with lead ions to form a precipitate

Aldehyde-based poisons

Tollen’s Test - Target Poisons

Silver mirror formulation

Tollen’s Test - Presence of aldehyde

Tollen’s Test

Detects aldehydes via reduction of silver nitrate

Organic compounds, drugs, poisons

UV Spectroscopy - Target Poisons

Specific absorption peaks for each compound

UV Spectroscopy- Results

UV Spectroscopy

Analyzes absorption of UV light by compounds

Volatile poisons, drugs, alcohols

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy - Target Poisons

Retention time and mass spectrum for compound ID

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy - Results

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy

Separates and identifies complex mixtures of poisons

Drugs, alkaloids, pesticides

Thin Layer Chromatography - Target Poisons

Rf values and color changes under UV light

Thin Layer Chromatography - Results

Thin Layer Chromatography

Separates and identifies compounds based on their mobility on a stationary phase

Opiates, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids

Immunoassays - Target Poisons

Colorimetric or fluorescence-based detection

Immunoassays - Results

Immunoassays Test

Detect specific toxins or drugs using antibodies

Ethanol (alcohol poisoning)

Breathalyzer Test - Target Poisons

Digital readout indicating blood alcohol concentration (BAC)

Breathalyzer Test - Results

Breathalyzer Test

Detects alcohol levels in exhaled air