Detection of the Duquenois-Levine chromophore in a marijuana sample

Alexander D Jacobs; Robert R Steiner

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.02.031

Detection of the Duquenois-Levine chromophore in a marijuana sample

Forensic Sci Int. 2014 Jun:239:1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.02.031. Epub 2014 Mar 18.

Authors

Alexander D Jacobs¹, Robert R Steiner²

Affiliations

¹ Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Forensic Science, Richmond, VA 23284, USA.
² Virginia Department of Forensic Science, Richmond, VA 23219, USA. Electronic address: Robert.steiner@dfs.virginia.gov.

PMID: 24709027
DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.02.031

Abstract

The Duquenois-Levine test for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been used in the forensic science community for over 80 years. This three-part color test is one of many tests used to confirm the presence of THC. In recent years, there have been accusations that this test is not specific enough to use as the sole means of conviction and there is no proof the color produced is from the presence of THC. A structure for the chromophore of the test was proposed by Dr. Dale Forrester in his doctoral dissertation pertaining to the analysis of the Duquenois test using THC standards. Through the use of the AccuTOF-DART system and an Agilent triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, further elucidation of the proposed chromophore was performed on extracts of marijuana samples.

Keywords: Chromophore; Color test; DART-TOF; Duquenois–Levine; Forensic science.

MeSH terms

Acetaldehyde / chemistry
Benzaldehydes / chemistry
Cannabis*
Chemical Phenomena
Chromatography, Thin Layer
Color
Dronabinol / isolation & purification*
Forensic Toxicology / methods
Humans
Indicators and Reagents
Mass Spectrometry / methods

Substances

Benzaldehydes
Indicators and Reagents
Dronabinol
vanillin
Acetaldehyde