Question

The confirmatory method of identifying illegal drugs is GC-MS. The suspected drug is analyzed and its spectrum is compared to a library of spectra. Using the following spectra, is it possible to identify the evidence sample? Justify either a positive or negative finding.

Evidence 100 80 60 40 20 0 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 w/s Morphine 100 80 e0 40 20 LSD 100 80 S 40 3 20 д 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 m/s 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 m/s Heroin 100 100 80 60 e 40 20 40 g 20 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400

Answer 1

Yes, it is possible to find out the evidence of drugs in the sample. The GC-MS spectra of individual drugs are provided and if the retention time of the components of drugs are seen in sample's GC-MS spectra then its components can be found out. It can be seen from the comparison of spectra, the sample's spectra has a lot more similarity to Morphine's spectra. The components with m/z ratio of 50, 120,160,210 and 300 are present in both,Morphine and drug sample. Thus, it can be confirmed that the components of atleast morphine are present in the sample. There are certain peaks in sample's spectra that do not belong to any of the drug's spectra which can be attributed to the components that are mixed along with the drug for its dilution.