Volume 56, Issue 5 pp. 1250-1255
TECHNICAL NOTE
CRIMINALISTICS

Cannabis Profiling Based on Its Elemental Composition—Is It Possible?

Marzena Joanna Kuras Ph.D.

Marzena Joanna Kuras Ph.D.

Medical University of Warsaw, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chair and Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Ul. Banacha 1, 02-091 Warszawa, Poland.

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Marek Jan Wachowicz M.S.Eng.

Marek Jan Wachowicz M.S.Eng.

Central Forensic Laboratory of the Polish Police, Al. Ujazdowskie 7, 00-583 Warszawa, Poland.

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First published: 11 April 2011
Citations: 14
Additional information and reprint requests:
Marzena Kuras, Ph.D.
Chair and Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry
Medical University of Warsaw
Faculty of Pharmacy
Ul. Banacha 1
02-091 Warszawa
Poland
E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Abstract: Elemental composition of 85 cannabis samples was established using GF AAS and ICP OES methods. The robustness of the method was determined by analyzing eight independently prepared replicates from a single cannabis plant. The accuracy of the method was established by analyzing four plant certified reference material samples. The ability of discriminant analysis using elemental compositions to distinguish between fiber cannabis samples collected from four different regions of Poland was evaluated. Then, a classification model was developed that correctly classified selected samples of known origin. Cannabis samples confiscated by law enforcement agencies have also been subjected to discriminant analysis. A classification model has been developed for four locations in Poland (Białystok, Kościerzyna, the environs of Skarżysko Kamienna, and Bydgoszcz), to help determine where samples of unknown origin could have been grown.

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