The Marquis reagent is used as a simple spot-test to presumptively identify compounds. It is composed of a mixture of formaldehyde and concentrated sulfuric acid, which is dripped onto the substance being tested. The United States Department of Justice method for producing the reagent is the addition of 100 mL of concentrated sulfuric acid to 5 mL of formaldehyde.
This test was first discovered and described by Eduard Marquis in his magister dissertation in 1896. It is the primary presumptive test used in Ecstasy testing kits. It can also be used to test for such substances as opiates (codeine, heroin), and phenethylamines (2C-B, mescaline).
The test is performed by scraping off a small amount of the substance and adding a drop of the reagent…show more content… TechCom has placed me in charge of generating an appropriate guideline for forensic science interns needing to be informed of the proper procedure behind the Marquis Reagent test. I have taken it upon myself to create a sample introductory article to acquaint forensic interns with this procedure while giving safety advice.
I have also included a sample user guide to instruct the interns in the step by step procedure involved in the Marquis Reagent test. The user guide lists the materials needed for the experiment.
Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat were used to create this prototype package. The introductory article was made to mimic a magazine article. The user guide was made to be easy to follow while still providing all of the information needed to produce the required results.
The main focus of this prototype package is drug testing. The specific operation involved is the Marquis Reagent test. The style of the sample introductory article and the sample user guide are designed specifically for forensic interns. I have used language and images that are directed specifically towards the forensic interns that would be using this…show more content… They cannot be used to specifically identify a substance.
Presumptive tests are less precise than confirmatory tests and can only indicate that an illegal substance might be present. If the substance is present, the test kit will turn one color, if not, it turns a different color. In a law enforcement laboratory setting, a presumptive test is typically followed by a confirmatory test. This can confirm with certainty the presence of the suspected substance.
Marquis Reagent testing is a presumptive color test used by Forensic Scientists to narrow down the identity of unknown substances.
The reagent is composed of formaldehyde and concentrated sulfuric acid. The United States Department of Justice method for producing the reagent is the addition of 100 mL of concentrated acid to 5 mL of 40% formaldehyde.
The Marquis Reagent test is used mainly by Forensic Scientists and Crime Scene Analysts.
Forensic Scientists use the test in labs to determine the identity of an unknown substance.
Crime Scene Analysts use this test in the field to determine the importance of an unknown substance that was found at the