ASSIGNMENT

NAME :V.Vasavi
REGISTRATION NO. :2419052400013 _____
SUBJECT :Quality control and narcotic drugs and
explosions
SUBJECT CODE :
CUTM1085
SEMESTER : 2N
D

Centurion University of Technology and Management

Acknowledgement: I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all those who have
helped and supported me during the preparation of this assignment on the forensic Analysis
of petroleum products

First and foremost, I would like to thank my instructor Ms.Sheerin Bashar Assistant
Professor, Forensic Science for their guidance, constructive feedback, and encouragement
throughout this assignment. Their expertise in forensic science has been invaluable to my
understanding of the topic.

I would also like to acknowledge the resources provided by CENTURION UNIVERSITY

Finally, I am grateful to the authors and researchers whose studies and articles have
contributed to the field of forensic analysis of petroleum products and have guided the
completion of this assignment.

Thank you all for your unwavering support.

Sincerely,[V.VASAVI]
Table of Content:

S.NO TITLE PAGE NO

1 ABSTRACT 1

2 INTRODUCTION 2-3

3 PROBLEM STATEMENT/ PROJECT REPORT RESEARCH 3

QUESTIONS

4 OBJECTIVE/PURPOSE OF THE REPORT 4

5 BACKGROUND 4

6 REFERNCES 5
Abstract (200-300 Words):

The analysis of drugs of abuse is a critical component in forensic science, law enforcement, and
public health, facilitating the identification and quantification of illicit substances to combat drug-
related crimes and ensure community safety. A combination of presumptive colour tests and
confirmatory instrumental techniques is employed to achieve accurate and reliable results. Colour
tests, also known as presumptive tests, offer a rapid and cost-effective preliminary screening
method. By applying specific chemical reagents to a suspected drug sample, these tests induce
characteristic colour changes that suggest the presence of particular drug classes. For instance, the
Marquis test yields a purple hue with opiates and an orange-brown colour with amphetamines, while
Scott's test produces a blue colour in the presence of cocaine. Despite their speed and simplicity,
colour tests lack specificity and are susceptible to false positives due to potential interference from
other substances. Therefore, while useful for initial assessments, they cannot definitively identify
specific drugs. To confirm and precisely identify substances, instrumental techniques are employed.
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) is considered the gold standard in forensic drug
analysis. GC-MS separates complex mixtures into individual components and identifies them based
on their molecular mass and fragmentation patterns, providing high sensitivity and specificity. High-
Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is another instrumental technique used for drug
identification and quantification, especially for thermally unstable compounds that cannot be
analysed using GC-MS. Infrared Spectroscopy (IR) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
(FTIR) are also employed to identify drugs based on their unique molecular vibrations when
exposed to infrared light. These instrumental methods offer detailed chemical information, enabling
accurate identification and quantification of drugs, which is essential for legal proceedings and
public health interventions.
Introduction (500-750 Words):

The analysis of drugs of abuse plays a crucial role in forensic science, law enforcement, and public
health. Identifying and quantifying controlled substances helps combat drug-related crimes, ensures
legal compliance, and protects communities from the dangers of illicit drugs. Various methods are
employed for drug analysis, ranging from simple colour tests to advanced instrumental techniques.
These methods provide rapid screening, confirmatory identification, and detailed chemical
composition of drugs. Colour tests, also known as spot tests or presumptive tests, are one of the
quickest and most cost-effective methods for the preliminary identification of drugs. These tests
involve adding specific reagents to a suspected drug sample, leading to a characteristic colour
change that suggests the presence of certain substances. Though not conclusive, colour tests are
widely used for initial screening before confirmatory instrumental analysis.

Marquis Test: Used for opiates (heroin, morphine) and amphetamines (MDMA, methamphetamine).
Produces a purple colour with opiates and orange-brown with amphetamines.

Scott’s Test (Cobalt Thiocyanate Test): Used to detect cocaine. A blue colour appears when cocaine
is present.

Mandelin Test: Detects amphetamines, ketamine, and other drugs. Produces colours such as green,
blue, or red, depending on the drug.

Reindorf’s Test: Used for alkaloids such as nicotine and opiates. Forms an orange-red precipitate.

Van Ur Test (Ehrlich’s Test): Identifies LSD and other indole-based hallucinogens. Produces a
purple colour when LSD is present.

Dille-Kompany Test: Used for barbiturates. Produces a violet-blue colour in their presence.

While colour tests provide rapid screening, they are not definitive due to possible false positives and
interference from other substances. Therefore, confirmatory tests using instrumental techniques are
necessary for precise drug identification.

Instrumental Techniques for Drug Analysis

Instrumental techniques offer high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in drug analysis. They allow
forensic experts to determine the exact chemical composition of substances and quantify drug
concentrations. The most commonly used instrumental techniques include:

1. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS): GC-MS is considered the gold standard for
drug analysis in forensic science. It combines two powerful techniques: Gas Chromatography (GC)
separates complex drug mixtures into individual components. Mass Spectrometry (MS) identifies
compounds based on their molecular mass and fragmentation patterns’-MS is widely used for
detecting drugs like cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and cannabinoids in biological samples
such as blood, urine, and hair.

2. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC): HPLC is another widely used technique for
drug identification and quantification, especially for thermally unstable compounds that cannot be
analysed using GC-MS. It operates by passing a liquid solvent containing the drug sample through
a chromatographic column. Different drugs elute at specific times, allowing precise identification.
HPLC is commonly used for analysing prescription drugs, benzodiazepines, and synthetic
cannabinoids.

3. Infrared Spectroscopy (IR) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR): Infrared
spectroscopy helps identify drugs based on their unique molecular vibrations when exposed to
infrared Ligutti provides a more detailed spectrum, allowing rapid and non-destructive drug
identification. It is commonly used for analysing solid and powder drugs, including heroin, cocaine,
and methamphetamine.

4. Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-Vis): UV-Vi’s spectroscopy is used to analyse drugs that

5. Raman Spectroscopy: Raman spectroscopy is a non-destructive technique that uses laser light to
analyse drugs without altering their composition. It is useful for field testing and rapid identification
of substances without requiring sample preparation. Portable Raman spectrometers are commonly
used by law enforcement for on-site drug detection.

6. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC): TLC is a simple and cost-effective technique for drug
screening. It involves separating drug components on a silica-coated plate using a solvent system.
The resulting pattern is compared to reference standards for identification. Although less precise
than HPLC or GC-MS, TLC is widely used in forensic drug testing.

Problem Statement/ Project Report Research Questions (150-200 Words):

• colour tests can yield false positives due to reactions with non-target substances.
• The reliance on visual colour assessment introduces subjectivity, as different individuals
may perceive colours differently, leading to inconsistent results
• Traditional colour tests may not react with emerging NPS, resulting in false negatives and
undetected substances
• Biological samples like blood or urine contain various compounds that can interfere with
analysis, complicating the detection and quantification of drugs.
• The continuous emergence of new drug analogy necessitates regular updates to analytical
methods and reference libraries to ensure accurate identification
Objective/Purpose of the Report (50-100Words):

• To accurately determine the presence and type of illicit drugs in a sample, facilitating legal
actions and public health interventions.
• To measure the amount of a specific drug present, which is essential for assessing exposure
levels and potential toxicity.
• To identify any additional substances mixed with the primary drug, which can affect potency
and safety.
• To provide reliable scientific evidence that can be used in court to support or refute
allegations of drug-related offenses.
• To inform public health strategies by understanding the prevalence and composition of
drugs circulating in the community.

Background (200-250 Words):

The 19th and early 20th centuries witnessed the development of various analytical methods,
including colorimetric tests, which provided rapid and cost-effective means for preliminary drug
identification. These tests involved adding specific reagents to a suspected substance, resulting in
characteristic colour changes indicative of certain drug classes. However, due to their lack of
specificity, confirmatory tests were necessary for accurate identification. The mid-20th century
marked a significant milestone with the advent of instrumental techniques such as Gas
Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). In 1973, one of the first mass spectrometers was
used to identify drugs in Birmingham, UK, revolutionizing forensic drug analysis by providing high
sensitivity and specificity. Modern Applications: Today, a combination of colorimetric tests and
advanced instrumental techniques is employed to analyse drugs of abuse. Colour tests remain widely
used for initial screening due to their simplicity and rapid results. For instance, colour tests are
commonly used by police authorities and customs to detect drugs of abuse. However, for definitive
identification and quantification, instrumental methods such as GC-MS, High-Performance Liquid
Chromatography (HPLC), and Infrared Spectroscopy (IR) are utilized, offering detailed chemical
information and ensuring accurate results.
References (Minimum 15 it should be cited in above content):

1.wires.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

2.https://study.com/academy/lesson/forensic-drug-analysis-purpose-process.html?utm_source

3.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28366205/?outsource

4.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28366205/?utm_source

6.https://epgp.inflibnet.ac.in/epgpdata/uploads/epgp_content/S000016FS/P000696/M011517/ET/1
516251256FSC_P9_M25_e-text.pdf?utm_source

7.https://wires.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wfs2.1461?utm_source=

8.https://www.forensicsciencesimplified.org/drugs/principles.html?utm_source=

9.https://www.nist.gov/publications/forensic-seized-drug-analysis-current-challenges-and-
emerging-analytical-solutions?utm_source=

10.https://www.mlo-online.com/continuing-education/article/13009404/meeting-the-challenges-
of-drug-screening-monitoring-and-trace-elemental-analysis?utm_source=

Signature of Student Signature of Faculty

Marks: ____________/10