NCJ Number
103097
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 31 Issue: 4 Dated: (October 1986) Pages: 1274-1282
Date Published
1986
Length
10 pages
Annotation
A gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) procedure is described for the detection and measurement of delta (9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, 11-hydroxy-delta (9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, and 11-nor-delta (9)-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid in blood, or 11-nor-delta (9)-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid in urine.
Abstract
About 50 percent of all homicide victims and motor vehicle drivers killed in Bexar County in 1985 were tested for the presence of cannabinoids. Of 130 homicides and 69 drivers tested, blood was analyzed primarily in all but 15 and 3 cases, respectively. In these latter cases, blood was analyzed after urine was found to be positive. Of the homicide victims, 44 (34 percent), and of all drivers, 19 (28 percent), tested were positive for one or more of the cannabinoids. As a separate group, 16 motorcycle drivers tested had 38 percent positive as compared with 25 percent of the other vehicle drivers. Ethyl alcohol was present in 55 percent of the drivers, and in 63 percent of the homicide victims. Drugs other than alcohol or cannabinoids were found in 10 percent of the drivers, and in 12 percent of the homicide victims. (Author abstract)