Forensic analysis of unknown substances: A sequence of laboratory experiments for quantitative and instrumental analysis undergraduate courses

CHED 222

Amanda Crook, acrook15@apsu.edu, Department of Chemistry, Austin Peay State University, Box 4547, Clarksville, TN 37044 and Carrie Brennan, Chemistry, Austin Peay State University, Box 4547, Clarksville, TN 37044.
A series of undergraduate laboratory exercises will be developed for analytical and instrumental chemistry laboratory curricula. These experiments involve components of forensic toxicology and drug identification techniques. The lab series will consist of three laboratory sessions and a variety of techniques. The overall series will include presumptive testing for a compound of interest, confirmatory testing using IR spectra, separation of the compound of interest from any other filler components, and quantitation of the compound of interest by gas chromatography. Samples will contain multiple components, which may or may not include the target compounds, amphetamines. Amphetamines were chosen due to the availability of over the counter forms. Fillers may include sugars, caffeine, and acetaminophen. Students will develop an underlying understanding of the forensic process as well as common laboratory techniques such as separations and instrumentation knowledge.
 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Analytical Chemistry
11:00 AM-1:00 PM, Monday, April 7, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008