With funding from Albion's Foundation for Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity (FURSCA), Carvill is spending the summer working with the Michigan State Police Forensic Science Division in Sterling Heights, studying the effects of various storage conditions on the degradation of marijuana samples.

Carvill explains that tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the primary active component of marijuana, is a somewhat unstable chemical compound, and can break down in the presence of light, heat and moisture. In addition, with current laboratory analysis techniques, marijuana is difficult to identify in charred substances that police may pick up as evidence.

Along side MSP Forensic Scientists, Carvill is working with "pure" samples of THC purchased from a chemistry research supplier and samples that have been previously collected as evidence. Using an electron impact gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS),

"Graduate schools look highly upon undergraduate research," says Carvill, "and this is a great way to combine the research experience with the experience in forensics."   Photo courtesy of Emily Carvill

Carvill measures changes in THC levels as a result of the storage conditions. She first spent several days calibrating the sensitive GC/MS. If the machine was run too hot, the THC would be destroyed, but a too-low setting did not pick up trace THC. Carvill also continues to test different solvents with the machine, to determine which solvent is best at extracting THC in samples.

Improving the police's ability to find tiny amounts of THC, however, is only one goal of Carvill's research. "I hope," she says, "that the results of my research will help the Michigan State Police and other police agencies find the best way to store marijuana samples." It sounds like great material for jokes, but Carvill says the issue is very serious.

"If the police confiscate marijuana but don't have a suspect, the case will stay open indefinitely. If the suspect is caught and the person who originally analyzed the sample has retired or changed jobs, the evidence must be reanalyzed. If the sample originally tested positive for THC, but was stored improperly, the THC levels could be too low to detect by instrumental methods and a botanical examination would be necessary."

Carvill sees her project as "a great way to combine research experience with experience in forensic science," which she hopes to pursue as a career. "The scientists at the police lab have been extremely helpful in helping me, as well as excited about getting involved with my project. I owe a great deal of thanks to the entire staff of the lab."