Chemical and pharmaceutical research of cannabinoids as objects of forensic examination

Abstract

Synthetic cannabinoids are a group of psychoactive compounds that mimic the effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive component of marijuana. Today, the most important task in forensic science is to establish the chemical structure of new psychoactive compounds that appear in illicit trafficking promptly in order to respond quickly and stop their distribution. Less important is the development of methodological support for expert activity, including analysis methods and reference data on the analytical characteristics of compounds.
 The aim. To develop stages of the forensic analysis of objects containing synthetic cannabinoids and propose methods for determining 5 new synthetic cannabinoids for forensic pharmaceutical purposes.
 Materials and methods. The study was conducted as part of the identification of cannabinoids for forensic purposes at the National Scientific Centre "Bokarius Institute of Forensic Examination". As part of the study, 5 new synthetic cannabinoids were identified for forensic analysis using the following methods: infrared spectroscopy, thin-layer chromatography, and gas chromatography with a mass detector. The algorithm for the forensic analysis of cannabinoid derivatives was developed based on the requirements of Ukraine's current legislation.
 Results. Spectral and chromatographic methods of determination of 5 new synthetic cannabinoids for forensic purposes were proposed, and during research and elaboration of the current legislation of Ukraine, an algorithm for forensic investigation of objects containing synthetic cannabinoids has been developed.
 Conclusions. The stages of the forensic analysis of objects containing synthetic cannabinoids meet the requirements of the current legislation of Ukraine and the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. The obtained data prove the high sensitivity and reproducibility of the methods and prove the possibility of their introduction into the practice of forensic examination