Electrochemical detection forensic analysis

Whilst for the analysis of plant material for cannabinoids both GC and HPLC are commonly used, in analytical procedures the employment of GC-based methods prevails for human forensic samples. Nonetheless, the usage of HPLC becomes more and more of interest in this field especially in combination with MS [115-120]. Besides the usage of deuterated samples as internal standards Fisher et al. [121] describe the use of a dibrominated THC-COOH (see 7.5). The usage of Thermospray-MS and electrochemical detection provide good performance and can replace the still-used conventional UV detector. Another advantage in the employment of HPLC rather than GC could be the integration of SPE cartridges, which are needed for sample preparation in the HPLC-system. 

Staub, C., Robyr, C., Analysis of Morphine in Hair by Radio-Immunoassay and HPLC with Electrochemical Detection, in Forensic Toxicology Proceedings of the 25th International Meeting, June 27-30, 1988, Groningen, The Netherlands, Uges, D. R. A., de Zeeuw, R. A., Eds., University Press, Groningen, 1988, 230. 

Several HPLC oxidative electrochemical methods have been developed for the analyses of drugs and metabolites in body fluids and the quantitative analysis of morphine was one of the first forensic applications of this detection technique. By applying a potential of +0.6V (versus an Ag/ AgCl reference electrode) the presence of morphine can be confirmed in whole blood and a detection level of 10 ng ml for a 100-pl sample can be achieved routinely. 

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