EXTRACTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF FORMULATIONS OF ANABOLIC ANDROGENIC STEROIDS: A FORENSIC EDUCATIONAL APPROACH

The use of anabolic androgenic steroids is largely restricted worldwide since they are associated with innumerous side effects and health damage. However, apprehensions of formulations of anabolic agents have been extensively increasing throughout the world, making their analysis a common task in the forensic field. In this sense, a set of three experiments was developed and applied to undergraduate students of Forensic Chemistry dealing with visual inspection of apprehended formulations of anabolic androgenic steroids as well as chemical identification by Infrared Spectroscopy and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Moreover, the classroom evaluated the extraction of steroidal active ingredients by ultrasonic and microwave-assisted extraction. The experimental procedures allied with the theory behind these topics provided an important background to the students on distinct extraction methods and analytical techniques used in the analysis of anabolic agents. Finally, the classroom was led to critically evaluate and interpret the results as well as to question the adequacy of experimental methods used in forensic analysis to stimulate their critical thinking.