Journal of Forensic Sciences
January 1, 1984
Dt Stafford, Hs Nichols, Wh Anderson
13 citations
A routine, time-efficient method using methyl silicone fused silica capillary columns separates lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) from lysergic acid methylpropylamide (LAMPA) for forensic drug analysis. The capillary system's efficiency and the inertness of the fused silica column and injection port liner provide a powerful and flexible solution to the common courtroom question of how to distinguish the two compounds.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
May 1, 1989
Cc Clark
12 citations
Six amide variants of lysergic acid were synthesized to test whether electron impact mass spectroscopy (EI/MS), combined with other analytical methods, can reliably distinguish lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) from similar compounds. The C8 axial and equatorial isomers were separated by preparative thin-layer chromatography, then analyzed using gas-liquid chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, high pressure liquid chromatography, and EI/MS. The combination of EI/MS with these other techniques successfully differentiated LSD from all other amides tested.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
July 1, 1987
M. Japp, R. Gill, M. David Osselton
12 citations
Capillary gas chromatography with nonpolar bonded phase columns effectively separates lysergide (LSD) from related ergot alkaloids and its isomer lysergic acid methylpropylamide (LAMPA), providing retention indices for several ergot alkaloids. The method proved applicable to analyzing illicit LSD preparations, demonstrated by extracts from microdot tablets, card, and paper squares. In contrast, the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems tested could not achieve baseline resolution between LSD and LAMPA.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
November 1, 2002
Stefanie Groß
10 citations
Psilocyn and psilocybin are detectable in various developmental stages of psilocybe mushrooms, a finding useful for analyzing evidence from illicit mushroom cultivation operations. Three separate cases submitted to a forensic laboratory each contained mushrooms at different growth stages. This report details the evidence, sample preparation, analysis, and final reporting for each case.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
May 1, 1994
Sd Kilmer
10 citations
A simplified extraction technique for analyzing LSD using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is described. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Forensic Laboratory tested two cases: one with four sugar cubes and another with seven food coloring bottles containing liquid. Using this extraction method, both cases were confirmed as LSD by GC/MS and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Journal of Forensic Sciences
October 1, 1982
Jm Bowen, Ha Mcmorrow, N Purdie
9 citations
A method using circular dichroism spectropolarimetry can directly measure D-lysergic acid diethylamide in confiscated samples without separating the drug from the specimen. The technique detects as little as about 2 micrograms.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
July 1, 1985
Re Lee
8 citations
A method enables rapid isolation and identification of psilocin from mushrooms that contain psilocin and psilocybin. The technique exploits differences in solubility in butyl chloride between psilocin and other mushroom constituents, allowing psilocin to be separated in pure form easily.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
December 22, 2023
Munchelou M Gomonit, Britni Skillman, Madeleine J. Swortwood
6 citations
Psilocybin, a prodrug found in magic mushrooms, is converted in the body to psilocin, the compound responsible for cognitive effects. Existing methods to measure psilocin in plasma, serum, or urine may yield misleading pharmacokinetic data because the blood-to-plasma ratio is unknown. This work developed the first analytical method using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry to quantify psilocin in human whole blood. The procedure achieved high recovery (≥89%) with minimal matrix effects, validated per ANSI/ASB 036 guidelines. Linearity ranged from 0.7 to 200 ng/mL, covering previously reported plasma levels. Psilocin was stable at 4°C for 48 hours. The method successfully detected and quantified psilocin at low limits in whole blood, though a proof-of-concept study is still needed.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
July 1, 1991
Ha Harris, T Kane
5 citations
A method for identifying lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in seized microgram quantities produces small pure crystals suitable for analysis with a microscope sampling device and Fourier transform infrared (FT/IR) spectrometer. The technique yields excellent spectra from samples containing less than 50 µg of LSD and can distinguish LSD from iso-LSD and lysergic acid N-methylpropylamide (LAMPA). The approach combines preparative thin-layer chromatography with wick evaporation, an older technique for separating soluble components from high-solid mixtures without filtration.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
September 21, 2025
Sarah A. Shuda
1 citation
LSD and related compounds are often present at low concentrations on forensic evidence, requiring sensitive detection methods. The inlet liner of a gas chromatograph—a consumable component that vaporizes samples—can affect how well these compounds are detected. Testing twelve different liners with a mixture of eight LSD-related compounds showed that liners containing packing material (like glass wool) produced significantly larger peak areas than unpacked liners. Liner geometry had a minor effect, only mattering with one deactivation type when glass wool was absent. Base deactivation improved peak area over standard and Topaz deactivation in straight packed liners.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
February 12, 2026
Thomas Sheehan, Hilary Hamnett, Sarah G. G. Russell et al.
MDMA (ecstasy) is used by 4.8% of New Zealanders aged 15 or older. In coronial cases (131 positive for MDMA), the average blood concentration was 0.88 mg/L; in driving-under-the-influence cases (193 positive), the average was 0.23 mg/L. Over 85% of cases also involved other drugs, most often cannabis and alcohol. Drug seizures averaged 71% purity, with capsules being the purest. The data inform forensic toxicology and drug policy.