Forensic Chemistry Commons^™

Quantification Of Terpenes In Various Commercial Cannabis Products By Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection And Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Kaitlyn M. Ignaszak

Forensic Science Master's Projects

The goal of this research project was to identify and quantify the terpenes in five commercial cannabis products (dried bud, kief, two tinctures, and a pain cream) using gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Terpene identification and quantification were conducted using GC-MS and GC-FID, with a standard sample containing 21 terpenes of known concentrations. To determine the most effective extraction conditions, three organic solvents (ethanol, acetonitrile, and ethyl acetate) were employed. Additionally, the effects of extraction time on terpene yield were investigated by analyzing aliquots collected at five different time intervals, ranging from one hour to …

Highly Contaminated Sediments From The Gowanus Canal (New York) Superfund Site: An Environmental Forensic Approach, Michael A. Kruge, Kevin K. Olsen, Eric A Stern, Maria Mastalerz, Albert Permanyer

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The 2.5 km long Gowanus Canal (Brooklyn, NY, USA) is a severely contaminated urban waterway dating from the mid-19th century, listed as a US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Superfund site since 2010. Applying an environmental forensics approach to the extensive USEPA data set, we detect systematic variations in parent PAH ring number distributions in the canal sediments, as well as an extraordinary enrichment in organic carbon. We subjected a supplemental sample set to a more detailed analysis by quantitative pyrolysis-GC-MS, Rock-Eval pyrolysis, and organic petrology. With these sensitive methods, we can confirm the alkyl-PAH fingerprint of coal tar (a legacy …

Color Tests For The Presumptive Identification Of A Range Of Benzodiazepines, Regan Mulvin

Honors Projects

Color tests are presumptive chemical tests that determine the class of drug in both laboratory and field settings. Despite the rising popularity of benzodiazepines and the usefulness of color tests, there is no widely accepted color test for identifying them. This study tested six different color tests against five benzodiazepines, including diazepam, clonazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam, and flualprazolam, to identify which of the tests would work most generally across all benzodiazepines. Of the six tests, the McKibben test, the Janovsky test, and the Zimmerman test all showed potential usefulness as a presumptive color test. More studies should be done on a …

The Chemistry Of Decomposition: The Mechanisms To Decay The Human Body, Lydia J. Buxa

Senior Honors Theses

Taphonomic analysis separates decomposition into four major stages: fresh, early decomposition, advanced decomposition, and skeletonization. It is easy to demarcate the observable changes to the body, but it is far more difficult to know what underlying biochemical processes are occurring. Fresh decomposition begins with algor mortis, livor mortis, and rigor mortis, which sets the stage for the major workforces of decomposition: autolysis and putrefaction. The external signs of decomposition appear in early decomposition, which can be attributed to the breakdown of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. This also leads to major changes in the moisture levels during advanced decomposition, …

Identification Of Areas Of Weakness In Forensic Footwear Research, Kathryn Roy

Honors Projects

Forensic footwear examinations have been carried out for almost a century, but the foundational validity of identifying a questioned impression to a particular shoe has been questioned by the National Research Council and the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. The focus of this paper was to identify the current weaknesses present in forensic footwear impression research. Additionally, a future experiment was proposed to address these concerns and improve the foundational validity of footwear impression comparisons. A total of 15 footwear research studies varying in methodology and content were analyzed and contrasted. From this, a lack of studies …

The Analysis Of Reference Standard Storage Failures Through The Use Of Ibuprofen, Hope Vonder Brink

Honors Projects

Reference standards are commonly used in drug chemistry. They are used to calibrate the instruments and serve as a known point of reference for analysts’ ability to compare unknowns. Drugs can degrade over time or through environmental factors, causing contaminants to be present. In the event of environmental degradation while in storage, such as the exposure to high heat, it would be beneficial to have a database of known breakdown products in common drug reference standards for analysts’ reference. Using ibuprofen as an exemplar drug, this study attempted to identify the thermal breakdown products of ibuprofen and introduce the proposed …

High Throughput, Solid Sample Analysis With Cone-Based Mass Spectrometric Ionization Sources, Emily J. Wiggins

Theses and Dissertations

The widespread presence of environmental and consumer-product contaminants (e.g. trace metals, opium alkaloids) has underscored the need for rapid, reliable, and high-throughput analytical techniques that are capable of handling complex solid samples. While traditional mass spectrometric (MS) methods tend to have high sensitivity and accuracy, they often require labor-intensive and time-consuming sample preparation steps that limit throughput and field applicability. This thesis investigates the use of 3D-Printed Cone Spray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (3D-PCSI-MS) as an ambient ionization technique for the direct screening of contaminants from solid matrices, eliminating the need for traditional sample preparation and allowing for real-time analysis.

In …

Unraveling The Reactivity Of Nitrate Ester Explosives: Insights From Femtosecond Time-Resolved Mass Spectrometry And Computational Chemistry, Erica Britt

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation uncovers the ultrafast molecular mechanisms underlying the decomposition of nitrate ester explosives—nitroglycerin (NG), ethylene glycol dinitrate (EGDN), and amyl nitrate—through the integration of femtosecond time-resolved mass spectrometry and advanced computational chemistry. Although these compounds play fundamental roles in both military and civilian contexts, the precise molecular dynamics governing their pronounced reactivity and impact sensitivity have remained inadequately characterized. Our research establishes that low O–NO2 bond dissociation energies are the primary driver of ultrafast fragmentation and high reactivity in all three esters. The distinctive molecular architectures of these esters dictate their explosive properties: NG’s tri-nitrate configuration leads to exceptional …

Identification Of Fentanyl And Fentanyl Analogs Found In Human Urine Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Adam M. Fisher

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Identification of fentanyl and its analogs in unknown samples is a frequent practice completed in forensic crime labs, as the fentanyl epidemic continues. With the continued increase in illicit drug use, crime labs are not able to keep up with the flooding of new fentanyl analogs being developed, resulting in new analogs slipping past the crime labs’ authority. This research is to start to develop a database of commonly found fentanyl analogs in New York State. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) is a widely used method for the detection and identification of illicit drugs in forensic crime labs. A database that …

Assessment Of Analytical Workflows Of Gunshot Residue Evidence And Strategies For Implementation Of Advanced Technology In Crime Laboratories., Leah D. Thomas

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The rise in gun violence in the United States has increased the demand on forensic agencies to process evidence promptly and accurately. The exchange of imperceptible traces among objects, suspects, and victims can provide critical insights into the interactions and sequence of events during a crime. Gunshot residue (GSR) is a type of trace evidence that holds significant investigative value in shooting reconstructions. GSR can help identify potential shooters, intermediate targets, and bullet trajectories; however, its analysis is often expensive and time-consuming. Consequently, there is an urgent need for more effective solutions.

Methods for on-site screening can significantly streamline forensic …

Understanding The Prevalence Of Γ-Hydroxybutyric Acid In Hair For Clinical And Forensic Applications, Collin J. Kustera

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Sexual assault affects over 400,000 Americans annually, including 13% of college students, yet only 2.5% of assailants face incarceration. This disparity stems from significant challenges in evidence collection, particularly in drug-facilitated crimes (DFCs). Victims often delay reporting due to fear, self-blame, or unawareness of the assault which is common in cases involving substances like γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB). Current forensic standards rely on blood and urine, which offer detection windows of just 48 and 120 hours, respectively. These short timeframes frequently fail to capture critical toxicological evidence, leaving investigators with only victim testimony, which the judicial system struggles to act upon …

Refinement Of A Thermodynamic Model To Explain The Weathering Patterns Of Ignitable Liquids On Household Substrates At Elevated Temperatures, Chaney Ashlyn Ganninger

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

Refinement of a thermodynamic model to explain the weathering patterns of ignitable liquids on household substrates at elevated temperatures

Chaney A. Ganninger

In 2021, arson caused more than 4,361 deaths in the United States. To aid in the differentiation between arson and accidental or natural causes, investigators often analyze fire debris for the presence of ignitable liquid residues using headspace concentration followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Classification of ignitable liquids can be confounded by weathering, which is the uneven evaporation of compounds in ignitable liquid residues. The Jackson group, among others, has developed a thermodynamic model to help …

Developing Consensus-Based Methods For The Examination And Interpretation Of Contemporary Vehicle, Architectural, And Portable Electronic Device Glasses By Micro-X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry, Zachary Bailey Andrews

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Glass is a trace material that is commonly encountered during investigations of violent crimes. When glass is recovered at crime scenes, it can be used to establish links between suspects, victims, and the scene itself. The most discriminatory form of analysis for glass evidence is elemental analysis, and micro-X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (µXRF) is becoming an increasingly common technique used for this purpose. Recent advances in µXRF technology, such as the introduction of silicon drift detectors (SDD) and improved polycapillary optics are promising in enhancing the capabilities for the examination of glass evidence in forensic investigations. However, along with these advances …

Forensic Characterization And Comparison Of Modern Nail Polish Products By Their Physical Features And Chemical Composition, Madison Meredith Lindung

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Nail polish can serve as valuable evidence in forensic investigations as it is often found on the hands and feet of individuals. Nail polish can break off and transfer easily during self-defense actions or forceful contact, such as in cases of kidnapping, sexual assault, or homicide. These residues can provide clues about who was at the scene, as well as where, when, and how the event evolved. However, compared to other types of paints commonly analyzed in forensic laboratories, limited forensic research has been conducted on the chemical composition and discrimination capabilities of popular nail products. The lack of information …