Forensic Toxicology Report: Sample Analysis and Testing Procedures

This forensic toxicology report outlines the analysis of various drug samples, including MDMA, Lidocaine, Cocaine, Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, and Marijuana, based on evidence from a crime scene. The rationale for testing these substances is provided, considering the disorganized scene and potential drug use. The report details preliminary tests using chemical reagents like cobalt thiocyanate and Marquis Reagent, followed by chromatographic techniques such as Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), Gas Chromatography (GC), and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) or Gas Chromatograph–Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (GC–QMS) for identification. Special handling and storage concerns are also addressed, considering the combined use of substances and specific storage requirements. The report references relevant scientific literature supporting the methods and findings.

Running head: FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY 1
Forensic Toxicology
Name of Author
Institutional Affiliation

FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY 2
List Samples to be tested
The suspected drugs to test include the following:
1. MDMA (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine)
2. Lidocaine
3. Cocaine
4. Amphetamine
5. Methamphetamine
6. Marijuana
Rationale for Doing So
The photographs already indicate the presence of some drugs that can only be confirmed
in the laboratory. The other idea that comes from the scene is the irresponsible behavior. This is
indicated by the totally disorganized house and activities (Namera, Kawamuro, Sito & Nagoa,
2015). Bedding on the kitchen floor (photograph 6) and the flushed bag of white powder
(photograph 8). These indicate that the victim was under a strong induce of the psychoactive
drugs (MDMA).
Amphetamine, Methamphetamine and cocaine are strong psychoactive substances that
commonly affect the normal brain functioning. Besides, they are both white powders. This
validates evidence on the photograph 3. Nevertheless, the white powder was spread on
household items in several sections. This could suggest

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Marijuana, cocaine and lidocaine are both expensive drugs that could justify the presence
of such amounts of dollars under poor under negligence. Besides, the herbal substance in
photograph 5 could be the raw marijuana under the freezer. This could indicate a special storage
requirement for the marijuana. The laboratory tests will focus on the use of chromatography,
both the thin layer (TLC), gas chromatography as well as the chemical reagents to ascertain the
identity of these compounds.
Outline Preliminary Tests for Each Sample
The preliminary tests will focus on the use of the chemical reactants like cobalt
thiocyanate and Marquis Reagent. These are quick in revealing the presence of cocaine and the
alkaloids that could characterize the MDMA. With exception of the herbal materials, samples
from the dry white powder will be dissolved in the cobalt thiocyanate and observed for the
subsequent color change. A deep blue coloration indicates the presence of cocaine. However, the
Marquis Reagent produces different colors depending on the compound that is present in the
sample.
After the preliminary chemical reactions, the all the samples will be dissolved in the
appropriate solvents and spotted on the TLC layers as well as on the GC columns. Methanol is
the commonly used solvent due to its polar nature. Furthermore, the samples spots on the surface
of the TLC adsorbent will be sprayed using the spray reagents so as to identify the colorless
substances. The Short Wave Ultraviolet radiation (SWUV), Long Wave UV, Fluram, Ludy
Tenger, Cupric Chloride and Sodium Nitrite will be sprayed on the surface to identify
them(Askal, Khedr, Darwish & Mahmoud, 2008).

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This makes it easy to pass through the surface and elute non-polar substances. The herbal
material requires more sophisticated technology in order to identify. Therefore, the High-
Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) or Gas Chromatograph–Quadrupole Mass
Spectrometer (GC–QMS) Mass Spectrometry is important in determining the mass to charge
ratio, thereby making it easy to identify raw samples (Pykal, Budzisz & Dolowy, 2013).
Special Handling or Storage Concerns
Special storage is indicated by the photograph 5 which seem to be under the cold
conditions. Besides, the presence of the unknown substance paraphernalia on the bed could
suggest a combined use. Therefore, analyses of the two substances would consider the chances of
contamination. Photograph 9 also indicates some special treatment of a substance under the
cistern. The liquor bottle is found at different locations. This could be a substance for storing the
other drugs or a preservative. Every substance require test in forensic examination (Smith &
Bluth, 2016).

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References
Askal, F. F., Khedr, A. S., Darwish, I. A. & Mahmoud, R. M. (2008). Quantitative Thin-Layer
Chromatographic Method for Determination of Amantadine Hydrochloride. International
journal of biomedical science, 4 (2), 155–160
Namera, A., Kawamuro, M., Sito, T & Nagoa, M. (2015). Comprehensive review of the
detection methods for synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones. Forensic Toxology, 33(2),
175–194
Pyka, A., Budzisz, M. & Dolowy, M. (2013). Validation Thin Layer Chromatography for the
Determination of Acetaminophen in Tablets and Comparison with a Pharmacopeial
Method. Volume 2013, Article ID 545703.
Smith, M. P & Bluth, M. H. (2016). Forensic Toxicology. An Introduction. Clinical Laboratory
Medicine, 36, 753–759