Detection of the Duquenois-Levine chromophore in a marijuana sample

The Duquenois-Levine test for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been used in the forensic science community for over 80 years. This three-part color test is one of many tests used to confirm the presence of THC. In recent years, there have been accusations that this test is not specific enough to use as the sole means of conviction and there is no proof the color produced is from the presence of THC. A structure for the chromophore of the test was proposed by Dr. Dale Forrester in his doctoral dissertation pertaining to the analysis of the Duquenois test using THC standards. Through the use of the AccuTOF-DART system and an Agilent triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, further elucidation of the proposed chromophore was performed on extracts of marijuana samples.