The Virginia Department of Forensic Science (VDFS) Releases Groundbreaking Report on THC Testing Methods
The VDFS has just released a game-changing report on their federally funded study to develop reliable testing methods for detecting THC in blood. This report, which spans 107 pages, details the extensive research and experimentation conducted by the VDFS over the past four years.
DOJ Grants Over $1 Million to VDFS for Cannabis Research
In 2020, the Department of Justice’s National Institute of Justice granted the VDFS a whopping $290,353 for their research project. This was part of a larger sum of $1,188,390, which was divided between five different projects.
“The ever-changing climate of cannabis decriminalization and/or legalization has significantly impacted forensic laboratories and is anticipated to increase the caseload in forensic toxicology,” the award description stated. “In addition, products claiming to contain other cannabinoids, including cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, have become widely available.”
Revolutionary Method Developed for Identifying Cannabinoids
After years of research and experimentation, the VDFS has developed a groundbreaking method for identifying different cannabinoids in biological matrices. This method utilizes supported liquid extraction and LCMSMS (liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry) with two analytical columns of different stationary phases to enhance the confirmation of cannabinoids.
“Within the research project, a method was developed for the quantitative and qualitative evaluation of cannabinoids in biological matrices using supported liquid extraction,” the report stated. “The methodology employed LCMSMS with two analytical columns of different stationary phases to enhance the confirmation of cannabinoids.”
Through this method, researchers were able to determine the slight differences between cannabinoids and eliminate any potential interferences from other compounds.
VDFS Awarded Additional Funds for Psychedelic Compound Research
In 2023, the VDFS was awarded an additional $441,886 in grant funds to develop methods and tools for studying psychedelic compounds such as psilocybin and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). These compounds pose a unique analytical challenge due to their rapid metabolism and structural instability.
“An analytical workflow for the identification and quantitation of these compounds and their main metabolites needs to consider appropriate long term storage conditions and sample preparation parameters to minimize the implications associated with their inherent instability,” the award description stated.
Continued Efforts to Improve Forensic Science
The VDFS’s research efforts are just one of five studies chosen to receive a portion of $1,928,846 in grant funds, all with the goal of identifying the most efficient and accurate methods for analyzing various substances in forensic science. With the ever-changing landscape of cannabis and other substances, the VDFS’s work is crucial in ensuring the reliability and validity of forensic testing methods.