Forensic Drug Analysis

60 % of Forensics Lab work is drugs

85-90% of all Criminal Cases involve drugs

Addiction Physical vs. Psychological addiction Physical

– causes withdrawl symptoms– Ex: Alcohol, Narcotics, Depressants

Psychological addiction– Dopamine release; satisfies an

emotional need– Ex: Cocaine, PCP

Classification of Drugs Opiates/Narcotics

– Reduce sensation – sleep like state – morphine, heroin, codeine, fentanyl– Both physically and psychologically addictive

Stimulants– Stimulates, speeds up, the central nervous

system (CNS)– high energy, euphoria– amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine– Psychologically addictive

Classification of Drugs Hallucinogens

– Alters perceptions, “gen”erates illusions– LSD (acid), PCP(angel dust), MDMA

(Ecstasy), Mescaline (peyote cactus), Marijuana (THC), hallucinagenic mushrooms (psilocybin)

– Most neither physical nor psychological dependence

Depressants

–Depress CNS, drowsiness, slowed response

–Barbiturates(Phenobarbital), Ethanol

–Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam)

–Physically and psychologically addictive

Controlled Substances Schedules

– I: No approved medical use LSD, Heroin, Psilocyn, Psilocybin, Marijuana, MDMA, Mescaline, Methaqualone

– II: Medical use, severely addictive Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Codeine, Morphine Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Methylphenidate Meperidine, PCP, Phenmetrazine, Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, Butyl nitrite, Amobarbital, Secobarbital, Pentobarbital

– III: Medical use, somewhat addictive Morphine & Codeine in mixture, Opium,

Pentobarbital (Mix) Anabolic Steroids (1991)

Controlled Substances II– IV: Medical use, low addictive potential

Xanax & Valium Ephedrine Codeine cough syrup Phenobarbital

– V: OTC Mixtures of analgesics and opiates Propylhexedrine (decongestant)

Analysis Sequence Observations

- Rock like, powdered, wet Screening Test

- A presumptive test used to reduce the number of possible identities of an unknown substance

– Duquenois-Levine Color test THC screening….. Marijuana and Hashish Drops added to vegetation, turns purple color

Screening for Marijuana

Confirmed at the Lab Chromatography = separation of

mixtures– Thin Layer (TLC)– Gas chromatography (GC)– Liquid chromatography (LC)– Paper chromatography

Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)Marijuana is a mixture of compoundsComponents spread out in solvent

TLC of Marijuana

Components of various sizes and solubilities travel further

Under the scope: Marijuana Green Plant Material

– Must be dry, in paper– Microscopic Examination

Look for “Bear Claw” cystolythic hair on top surface of leaf

Color Screening Tests for other drugs

Marquis Test – ex: Nark II Primary presumptive test used for ecstasy testing.

Also used to test for cocaine, opiates (e.g. methadone, heroin), and methamphetamine.

– Purple Opiates– Orange to brown Amphetamine & Meth– Blue Ecstasy– Red Aspirin– Pink cocaine

1. What kit do investigators use to identify a type of drug?A. Mark II B. Nark II C. Dark II

2. True or False?Investigators taste a drug sample to identify what it is.

3. What color would morphine or heroin turn after the reaction?A. Black B. Brown C. Purple

4. How long did the investigator have to agitate the sample?A. 12 seconds B. 20 seconds C. 60 seconds

5. What type of drug was the test sample? A. Morphine or Heroin B. Ecstasy C. Amphetamine or Meth

Watch the video and then answer the questions.Video Link: http://www.aetv.com/crime-360/video/index.jsp?bcpid=1459183602&bclid=1459293923&bctid=1620577030

1. What kit do investigators use to identify a type of drug?A. Mark II B. Nark II C. Dark II

2. True or False?Investigators taste a drug sample to identify what it is.

3. What color would morphine or heroin turn after the reaction?A. Black B. Brown C. Purple

4. How long did the investigator have to agitate the sample?A. 12 seconds B. 20 seconds C. 60 seconds

5. What type of drug was the test sample? A. Morphine or Heroin B. Ecstasy C. Amphetamine or Meth

The answers are …

Microcrystalline test Chemical reagent is added which causes

crystals to form Crystals have different shape depending

upon what drug

Cocaine Methamphetamine

Infrared (IR) Drug “Fingerprinting”

Spectral comparison of Prozac with a fluoxetine hydrochloride (10 mg) lactose-formulated product – a knock-off.

Substance is dissolved in solutionIR waves sent thru the mixtureReflect back a “fingerprint” of the substance(s) in the mix

Infrared (IR) Drug “Fingerprinting” continued

Spectral comparison of Prozac with a fluoxetine hydrochloride starch-formulated generic product.

Drug Testing in the Body Urine is most common Immunoassay

– Based on antigen-antibody binding specificity

– Antibody produced by injecting antigen (drug) into rabbit

– Antibodies will bind to drug in urine Confirmation done w/TLC

False positives in Immunoassays

Poppy seeds and Vicks 44 for opiates Decongestants for amphetamines Benadryl and numerous cough syrups

for PCP

Heroin

marijuana