lecture 1 - basic forensic analysis

Question 1

what should you do before colour/spot tests?

Answer 1

analyse the physical characteristics of the drug

Question 2

What is the purpose of presumptive/spot tests in drug analysis?

Answer 2

To provide tentative identification of unknown drugs by observing colour changes when reagents are added, indicating the presence of specific functional groups or compounds.

Question 3

what piece of equipment is used to confirm the drugs identity

Answer 3

GC-MS

Question 4

how do you conduct a colour test?

Answer 4

Add unknown drug to spot plate/test tube, add reagent, and observe immediate colour change

Question 5

what is a negative control

Answer 5

when the reagent is in a well on its own and does not change colour

Question 6

what is a positive control

Answer 6

standard reference material + reagent = unknown drugs colour test

Question 7

what does Marquis test for?

Answer 7

Opioids, Amphetamines, alkaloids, and magic mushrooms

Question 8

what does Ehrlichs test for?

Answer 8

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)

Question 9

What does Duquenois Levine test for?

Answer 9

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis

Question 10

what does Cobalt thiocyanate test for?

Answer 10

Cocaine

Question 11

what does Dille-Koppanyi test for?

Answer 11

Barbiturates (downers)

Question 12

what does Simons’ test for?

Answer 12

Distinguish between amphetamine and Methamphetamine

Question 13

what does Libermann’s test for?

Answer 13

Target phenol and amine functional group found in drugs – amphetamine or paracetamol

Question 14

What is the role of chromophores in colour tests?

Answer 14

Chromophores absorb and emit light in the visible spectrum, causing colour changes in the presence of specific molecules.

Question 15

What kind of molecule produces the colour changes in colour tests?

Answer 15

Molecules with conjugated systems, transition metals, or carbocations are involved in producing visible colour changes in response to reagents.

Question 16

what type of bond is a sigma bond?

Answer 16

single

Question 17

what kind of bond is a pi bond?

Answer 17

double or triple

Question 18

what does the Marquis reagent cause in relation to molecular structure?

Answer 18

causes a change in the structure and the binding of the molecule

Question 19

what colour is produced by Marquis + Morphine/Heroin

Answer 19

Purple

Question 20

what colour is produced between Marquis + Magic mushrooms

Answer 20

Yellow

Question 21

what colour is produced between Marquis + Ecstasy

Answer 21

Orange to black

Question 22

what colour is produced between Marquis + Methamphetamine

Answer 22

Orange

Question 23

what colour is produced between Marquis + amphetamine

Answer 23

Orange to red to brown

Question 24

What is the Ehrlichs regent composed of?

Answer 24

1% p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde dissolved in conc HCL in ethylacetate

Question 25

what does a positive Ehrlichs produce

Answer 25

a blue/purple carbocation

Question 26

what is the libermann's reagent made up of?

Answer 26

a solution of potassium or sodium nitrate dissolved in sulphuric acid

Question 27

what does a positive Libermanns test produce in acidic conditions

Answer 27

a red colour quinone imine

Question 28

what does a positive Libermanns test produce in basic conditions?

Answer 28

a blue colour quinone imine

Question 29

what is Duquenois-Levine reagent made up of?

Answer 29

sequential addition of three solutions: a. 2% vanillin and 1% acetaldehyde in ethanol b. concentrated HCL c. Chloroform

Question 30

what does a positive Duquenois-Levine test produce?

Answer 30

a purple coloured chromaphore

Question 31

what colour is produced when Fast Blue BB Salts react with THC?

Answer 31

red azo dye

Question 32

what colour is produced when Fast Blue BB Salts react with Cannabinol?

Answer 32

purple azo dye

Question 33

what colour is produced when Fast Blue BB Salts react with Cannabidol?

Answer 33

Orange azo dye

Question 34

what does the Fast Blue BB Salt produce in general?

Answer 34

an azo dye

Question 35

what is the Cobalt thiocyanate reagent made up of?

Answer 35

thiocyanate (2%) in concentrated HCL

Question 36

what does the Cobalt Thiocyanate reagent produce in a positive test?

Answer 36

a blue ion pair

Question 37

what is the Dille-Koppanyi reagent made up of?

Answer 37

1% cobalt acetate in methanol followed by 5% isopropylamine in methanol

Question 38

what colour is a positive Dille Koppanyi test?

Answer 38

a violet blue transition metal complex

Question 39

what is Simons reagent made up of for methamphetamine?

Answer 39

2% nitroprusside solution containing acetaldehyde

Question 40

What is the significance of microcrystalline tests in drug analysis?

Answer 40

They help determine the crystalline structure of drugs, which can assist in identifying specific isomers of substances.

Question 41

How do you undergo a microcrystalline test?

Answer 41

Add unknown drug to a microscope slide Reagents - Gold chloride, gold bromide, platinum chloride, platinum bromide Add a cover slip View under a transmitted light microscope

Question 42

what drug has a plant matter appearance

Answer 42

Cannabis

Question 43

what drug has a resin appearance

Answer 43

Cannabis or Heroin

Question 44

what drug comes as Microdots, gelatine squares, and blotter papers

Answer 44

LSD

Question 45

what drugs come in white powders

Answer 45

Heroine or Cocaine

Question 46

what drugs come as tan powders

Answer 46

Heroin and Amphetamine

Question 47

What are the 5 P's?

Answer 47

Powders Plant matter Pills Precursors – compounds used in the clandestine synthesis of drugs such as methamphetamines. Paraphernalia – the implements and equipment used in the preparation and ingestion of drugs; e.g. a syringe

Question 48

what does cocaine look like in a microcrystalline test?

Answer 48

sword-like

Question 49

what does amphetamine look like in a microcrystalline test?

Answer 49

plant-like

Question 50

what does methadrone look like in a microcrystalline test?

Answer 50

little bundles - like roses

Question 51

what does GHB look like in a microcrystalline test?

Answer 51

rectangular crystals

Question 52

what kind of microscope is used in microcrystalline tests?

Answer 52

transmitted light microscopes

Question 53

what is the science behind colour tests?

Answer 53

the reagent will cause a change in the structure of the drug, allowing ground state electrons to absorb a large amount of light and become excited, and move to the excited state for a short period of time. The light they absorb will be photons of a coloured light opposite to the colour on the colour wheel that the chromophore will emit when the electrons return to ground state. For example; Marquis + Methamphetamine = the chromophore will absorb blue light and emit orange light.

Question 54

what does Simons test + Methamphetamine produce

Answer 54

a blue coloured Simon-Awe complex

Question 55

what does Simons test + Amphetamine produce

Answer 55

a purple complex (NOT SIMON-AWE)

Question 56

what is the Simons reagent made up of for Amphetamine?

Answer 56

2% Nitroprusside solution in acetone