Detection and quantitation of the semi-synthetic cannabinoid hexahydrocannabinol in seized samples from Scottish prisons

IF 2.6 3区医学 Q2 CHEMISTRY, ANALYTICAL

Forensic Chemistry Pub Date : 2025-01-11 DOI:10.1016/j.forc.2025.100640

Letícia Birk , Victoria Marland , Sarah Eller , Tiago Franco de Oliveira , Niamh Nic Daéid , Lorna Nisbet

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Abstract

The dynamic new psychoactive substance market is constantly evolving and adapting as new legislative regulations are established. The prevalence of new psychoactive substances within the Scottish prison Service has been well documented, with this unique illicit drug ecosystem facilitating the detection of compounds often preceding their identification in forensic toxicology samples. This study provides an overview of two case samples seized from Scottish prisons between November 2023 and April 2024, where the semi-synthetic cannabinoid, hexahydrocannabinol, was identified following a quantitative gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. This semi-synthetic cannabinoid was detected alongside other traditional cannabinoids including cannabidiol, cannabinol, Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol, and Δ⁸-tetrahydrocannabinol. Variability of the ratio between hexahydrocannabinol isomers was observed in the samples, as well as variability in the concentrations of other cannabinoids. This highlights the importance of quantitative analysis, as distinct effects can be expected from the variable sample compositions. In conclusion, this study marks the first detections of the semi-synthetic cannabinoid, hexahydrocannabinol, within the Scottish prison estate, demonstrating its emergence within that illicit drug market.

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来源期刊

Forensic Chemistry CHEMISTRY, ANALYTICAL-

CiteScore

5.70

自引率

14.80%

发文量

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： Forensic Chemistry publishes high quality manuscripts focusing on the theory, research and application of any chemical science to forensic analysis. The scope of the journal includes fundamental advancements that result in a better understanding of the evidentiary significance derived from the physical and chemical analysis of materials. The scope of Forensic Chemistry will also include the application and or development of any molecular and atomic spectrochemical technique, electrochemical techniques, sensors, surface characterization techniques, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, chemometrics and statistics, and separation sciences (e.g. chromatography) that provide insight into the forensic analysis of materials. Evidential topics of interest to the journal include, but are not limited to, fingerprint analysis, drug analysis, ignitable liquid residue analysis, explosives detection and analysis, the characterization and comparison of trace evidence (glass, fibers, paints and polymers, tapes, soils and other materials), ink and paper analysis, gunshot residue analysis, synthetic pathways for drugs, toxicology and the analysis and chemistry associated with the components of fingermarks. The journal is particularly interested in receiving manuscripts that report advances in the forensic interpretation of chemical evidence. Technology Readiness Level: When submitting an article to Forensic Chemistry, all authors will be asked to self-assign a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) to their article. The purpose of the TRL system is to help readers understand the level of maturity of an idea or method, to help track the evolution of readiness of a given technique or method, and to help filter published articles by the expected ease of implementation in an operation setting within a crime lab.