Microchemical identification of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
Andera, KM
Criminalist, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Dept., Scientific Investigation Division, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739-6979., Present address: Orange County Sheriff-Coroner's Department, Forensic Sciences Services, 320 North Flower St., Santa Ana, CA 92703.

Evans, HK
Supervising Criminalist/Deputy Sheriff, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and Graduate Student, University of Strathelyde, Forensic Science Unit, Glasgow, Scotland.

Wojcik, CM
Criminalist, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Scientific Investigation Division, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739-6979.


Abstract
A new microcrystal test for the detection of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is described. The silver/copper reagent consists of an aqueous solution of 0.1 g of cupric nitrate and 0.1 g of silver nitrate in 10.0 mL water. While some crystals form upon evaporation of the reagent, the test forms distinctive crystals for GHB and does not form crystals with some commonly encountered controlled substances. The reagent was also tested against some controlled substances that have similar biological activity to GHB, including flunitrazepam, and some barbiturates. No crystals were observed with these compounds. A blind test was performed to determine if GHB could be discriminated from the other compounds. Two of ten unknowns were correctly identified as GHB—one solid, one liquid. One GHB sample was not identified as GHB and the remaining seven non-GHB samples were not identified as GHB. The reagent is therefore selective for GHB, but not extremely sensitive.

Keywords:
forensic science, microcrystal tests, sodium oxybate (gamma-hydroxybutyrate)

Paper ID: JFS45325

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.
Author Andera KM, Evans HK, Wojcik CM Title Microchemical identification of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) Symposium , Committee on