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 Screening Test Rock like, powdered, wet A presumptive test used to reduce the number of possible identities of an unknown substance

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

Confirmed at the Lab Chromatography = separation of mixtures Thin Layer (TLC) Gas chromatography (GC) Liquid chromatography (LC) Paper chromatography

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

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 … 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

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” Substance is dissolved in solution IR waves sent thru the mixture Reflect back a “fingerprint” of the substance(s) in the mix Spectral comparison of Prozac with a fluoxetine hydrochloride (10 mg) lactose-formulated product – a knock-off.

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