Griess test

The Griess test is a chemical analysis test which detects the presence of organic nitrite compounds. The Griess diazotization reaction on which the Griess reagent relies was first described in 1858 by Peter Griess.

Method
Nitrite is detected and analyzed by formation of a red pink colour upon treatment of a NO2−-containing sample with the Griess reagent.

When sulphanilic acid is added, the nitrites form a diazonium salt. When the azo dye agent (alpha-naphthylamine) is added a pink colour develops.

A typical commercial Griess reagent contains 0.2% naphthylenediamine dihydrochloride, and 2% sulphanilamide in 5% phosphoric acid.

Forensics
The test was used in forensics for many years to test for the traces of nitroglycerine.

Caustic soda is used to break down the molecule of nitroglycerine to produce nitrite ions. The concentration of this caustic soda is crucial to the test.

The test involves the taking of a sample with ether and its division into two bowls. Sodium hydroxide is added to the first bowl followed by the Griess reagent; if the solution turns pink within ten seconds, this indicates the presence of nitrites. The test itself is positive if, after adding only Griess reagent to the second bowl, the solution there remains clear

Due to the ability of many substances to produce nitrite ions, the test is not conclusive and eventually proved of limited value. British police forces had practically stopped using it by the mid-1980s.

The convictions of Judith Ward and the Birmingham Six were assisted by Frank Skuse's flawed interpretation of Griess test results.