NCJ Number
161123
Journal
Forensic Science International Volume: 77 Issue: 3 Dated: (February 9, 1996) Pages: 159-167
Date Published
1996
Length
9 pages
Annotation
When O-6-acetylmorphine is found in toxicological or illicit drug cases, it is usually assumed to be the product of heroin degradation and is therefore used as evidence of the prior existence of heroin.
Abstract
In the current study, morphine base was prepared from either morphine sulphate or codeine using the "homebake" procedure. All experiments were performed in duplicate, and reaction mixtures were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. It was found that O-6-acetylmorphine was produced when morphine was partly acetylated with acetyl chloride. In some experiments, partial acetylation of morphine sulphate yielded mixtures containing O-6-acetylmorphine, unreacted morphine, and only traces of O-3-acetylmorphine and heroin. The author concludes that O-6-acetylmorphine should not be used as evidence of heroin having been present in cases where O-6-acetylmorphine is found in the absence of heroin. 10 references, 2 tables, and 5 figures