Forensic Chemistry of Alkaloids: Presumptive Color Test
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Open Access Austin Journal of Forensic Science and Criminology Research Article Forensic Chemistry of Alkaloids: Presumptive Color Test Darsigny C1, Leblanc-Couture M1 and Desgagné- Penix I1,2* Abstract 1Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, Evidence collected from crime scenes often includes unknown powders, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Canada pills, and tablets, many of which are illicit drugs difficult to identify visually. 2Forensic Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois- Presumptive color tests help with the on-scene recognition of drug materials Rivières, Canada via rapid color changes. Most of these tests are based on qualitative chemical *Corresponding author: Desgagné-Penix I, reactions and have since been standardized. Although simple and rapid, Department of Chemistry, Forensic Research Group, qualitative tests provide only preliminary analytical data. Nevertheless, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Canada these tests are still important components of crime scene investigations, and government authorities deploy them to detect illicit drugs in the field. Received: December 28, 2017; Accepted: February 02, Understanding the chemistry behind presumptive color tests makes it possible 2018; Published: February 27, 2018 to predict reactions to known drug standards. However, in the presence of cutting agents and other chemicals, the results of presumptive color tests may not be predictable due, in part, to interference by contaminating chemicals. Most described presumptive tests are developed for ‘classic’ drugs, such as opiates, amphetamines, and cocaine, but new psycho-active substances and cutting agents emerge every day on the market. Among them, alkaloids (e.g., lobeline, caffeine, piperine) can be purchased easily and legally via the Internet or in local shops and are often utilized to lace or cut drugs. This study is the first to predict and document the results on 7 of the most common presumptive color tests with various alkaloid standards. We assessed these tests with mixtures of alkaloids to ascertain interference, if any, in the color results. We performed presumptive color tests on various popular cutting agents and, finally, tested several mixtures of drugs/alkaloids/cutting agents potentially similar to samples seized in the field. The results showed that color prediction worked well with pure standards, but color tests could not be predicted for mixtures in most cases. Also, alkaloid cutting agents often interfere with presumptive color test results, affecting outcomes. Better understanding of presumptive color tests, coupled with better populated databases of color results involving cutting agents, will help in reducing false positives and false negatives, thereby improving initial testing of seized evidence. Keywords: Alkaloid; Forensic; Presumptive color test; Cutting products; Drugs Introduction Presumptive color tests [also referred to as presumptive drug tests, chemical detection tests or spot tests] were introduced years ago Illicit drugs represent the vast majority of chemical evidence to help on-scene identification of drugs via rapid color changes [2- collected from crime scenes. Drug-related crimes are common and 10]. Most of these tests are based on qualitative chemical reactions to involve large sums of money. For example, in 2012, the Federal chemical functional groups, or chemical families of compounds, and Bureau of Investigation seized USD 1.125 billion worth of assets and have since been standardized [6,11,12]. The results of presumptive drugs [1]. Investigators often encounter unknown samples (pills, tests are indicative and non-specific: they do not categorically capsules, stamps, tablets, powders, and liquids) at crime scenes, many prove the presence or absence of drugs in test samples. However, of which are controlled substances, but visual identification of drugs presumptive tests allow us to confirm or invalidate the presence of is challenging. Two main types of tests assess whether illegal drugs are functional groups or specific structures in molecules [13]. Although existent in samples: presumptive tests and confirmatory tests. simple and fast, qualitative tests provide only preliminary analytical Presumptive tests are performed first, to help decide what to results: nevertheless, they are still important components of crime do next are less precise and indicate that illegal substances may be scene investigations, and government authorities deploy them to present. Confirmatory tests are more expensive and time-consuming, detect illicit drugs in the field. but positively identify substance(s) in question. Presumptive tests may Typically, there are two parts to presumptive drug tests: testing be conducted in the field or laboratory, whereas confirmatory tests and interpretation. The testing portion is easier than interpretation, involve a battery of instrumental methods (e.g., gas chromatography- although electronic-based interpretation software, with red-green- mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and blue format apps, have been developed, with database of expected Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) which separate individual results [1]. Since field samples may contain cutting agents, impurities, compounds and positively identify the chemical profiles of illegal or substances meant to disguise the drug present, they may interfere substance(s) [2-4]. Austin J Forensic Sci Criminol - Volume 5 Issue 1 - 2018 Citation: Darsigny C, Couture ML and Desgagné-Penix I. Forensic Chemistry of Alkaloids: Presumptive Color ISSN : 2380-0801 | www.austinpublishinggroup.com Test. Austin J Forensic Sci Criminol. 2018; 5(1): 1074. Desgagné-Penix et al. © All rights are reserved Desgagné-Penix I Austin Publishing Group Figure 1: Examples of alkaloids from natural plant sources, such as morphine from opium poppy, atropine from deadly nightshade, caffeine from coffee beans, cocaine from coca, and nicotine from tobacco plants. The semi-synthetic alkaloid heroin is produced from the diacetylation of morphine, and caffeine can be synthesized in the lab with malonic acid and dimethylurea. Figure 2: Overview of the method strategy. Samples (potential drug specimens) to be tested can come from various sources, including pills, caplets, stamps, powders and crystals. They may contain various chemicals, such as drugs of interest, but also alkaloids and other cutting agents. The chemistry behind most presumptive color tests is known, which allows for results prediction of single and pure drug samples. However, mixtures of drugs with various chemicals may interfere with presumptive test results and, therefore, need to be assayed and recorded. with test reactions and resulting colors. Erroneous color interpretation and links them together [15,16,20]. Mecke’s reagent contains sulfuric may elicit false-positive tests and lead to unjust warrants, arrests, and acid, which breaks down bonds in functional groups of tested even convictions [14]. chemicals and re-arranges them with selenious acid [15]. Froehde’s presumptive color test identifies opiates and phenethylamines. The chemistry behind presumptive color tests Reactions of this reagent, composed of sodium molybdate, sulfuric Several studies have reported the chemistry behind most acid and other molecules, are not clearly established. It is possible that presumptive color tests [6,12,15,16]. The reaction mechanisms in molybdate ions link tested chemicals after bond breakage induced by some tests are still hypothetical, but databanks of color reactions sulfuric acid in a similar manner as in Froehde’s test [21]. Simon’s obtained for several known compounds are readily available. We presumptive test screens chemicals containing secondary amines selected 7 tests, including those of Chen, Mandelin, Marquis, Mecke, whereas Cobalt’s test exploits cobalt thiocyanate to find protonated Froehde, Simon and Cobalt. tertiary amines [15,16]. Knowing and understanding the chemistry Briefly, Chen’s test generally identifies narcotics since it reacts behind presumptive color tests makes it possible to predict test easily with functional groups present in tested chemicals [16]. reactions to known standards. For example, the phenethylamine Mandelin’s test presumptively detects opiates and phenethylamines, MDMA reacts with all tests except Cobalt’s test, since it does not with vanadate ions forming a conjugated system of electrons with possess a protonated tertiary amine. In contrast, cocaine will react different oxidation states, resulting in different colors obtained [17- with Cobalt’s test, since it harbors a protonated tertiary amine 20]. Marquis’ reagent works with morphinan drugs and includes in its structure. However, in the presence of cutting agents or formaldehyde, which reacts with aromatic rings on tested chemicals other chemicals, the results of presumptive color tests may not be Submit your Manuscript | www.austinpublishinggroup.com Austin J Forensic Sci Criminol 5(1): id1074 (2018) - Page - 02 Desgagné-Penix I Austin Publishing Group Table 1: List of alkaloid standards tested in this study. Sources are natural (N), semi-synthetic (SS) or synthetic (S). Standard Structure Source Group Caffeine N Purine Theobromine N Purine Piperidine N Piperidine Piperine N Piperidine Lobeline N Piperidine Atropine N Tropane Cocaine N Tropane Methamphetamine S Phenylethylamine MDMA S Phenylethylamine MDA S Phenylethylamine Quinine N Quinoline Berberine N Benzylisoquinoline (phenanthridine) Papaverine N Benzylisoquinoline