Madeline Holland, Ph.D.
555 Jackson Avenue
Oxford, MS 38655
662-234-XXXX (FAX 662-234-XXXX)
Analysis: Toxicological
Analysis
REPORT OF FORENSIC
TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
Case Description: Barbara Dubois Homicide
Case # 000388-31A-2004
Investigative Agency: Yoknapatawpha County
Sheriff's Department
Investigating Officer(s): Det.
S. Murphy, Det. T. Armstrong
EVIDENCE ANALYZED
000388-06 and 000388-07: Two (2) samples from
possible vomit pool in hallway outside YCCC Room 273
000388-22: One (1) medium-sized plastic bag
labeled "YCCC Dry Cleaning"
Contents: semi-liquid substance
visually consistent with vomit
Evidence items were extracted with 5%
methanol/chloroform and the organic layer was evaporated to afford a
residue, which was subjected to thin layer chromatography (TLC).
Control samples included emetine (an active emetic alkaloid found in
Psychotria ipecacuanha) and Syrup of Ipecac, USP, from Roxane
Laboratories (an extract of Psychotria ipecacuanha used for
poison control to induce vomiting).
Thin Layer Chromatography of Evidence Items:
Evidence Item(s)
Analysis
Thin Layer Chromatogram
1
A: 000388-06
B: 000388-07
C: Emetine (control)
D: 000388-22
E: Syrup of Ipecac (control)
Normal Phase thin layer chromatography; mobile phase = 10% Methanol/Chloroform; Anisaldehyde/sulfuric acid developed
2
A: 000388-06
B: 000388-07
C: Emetine (control)
D: 000388-22
E: Syrup of Ipecac (control)
Normal Phase thin layer chromatography; mobile phase = 10% Methanol/Chloroform; Dragendorff developed
Results: Two methods for developing the
chromatograms were used to visualize different chemical compounds.
Anisaldehyde is a general reagent used to develop many different
types of compounds, while Dragendorff’s Reagent is specific for
alkaloids. From the above chromatograms, evidence items 000388-06,
000388-07 and 000388-22 are consistent with the Syrup of Ipecac
control. As well, evidence items 000388-06, 000388-07 and 000388-22
are all positive for an alkaloid consistent with emetine. Thin layer
chromatography was used as a presumptive test, and the presence of
emetine in the evidence items has been confirmed using HPLC-MS.
