1
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The use of liquid phase separation techniques for heroin chemical profiling. Forensic Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2022.100455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2022]
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2
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Duffy BC, Li L, Lu S, Dittmar MA, Delaney-Baldwin EM, Durocher LA, Spink DC. Chemotyping of Δ8-THC-Containing e-Liquids Analyzed during the 2019-2020 New York State EVALI Investigation. J Anal Toxicol 2021; 46:743-749. [PMID: 34665862 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkab107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The investigation of the 2019-2020 E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) outbreak in New York State provided a unique opportunity to examine the formulations and chemical components found in clandestine cannabis-containing e-liquids. In this EVALI investigation, it was determined that an unusually high proportion (16%) of the cannabis e-liquids analyzed contained significant levels of Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC). Although not thought to be the causative agent in the outbreak, the manufacturing origin of vaping e-liquids containing large concentrations of Δ8-THC was of great interest, since high Δ8-THC concentrations are not observed in the extracts of common cannabis strains. A principal component analysis of multiple cannabinoid concentrations revealed clusters of similar or identical Δ8-THC-containing products. This technique may be useful in identifying common manufacturing sources in this and future investigations. Several possible manufacturing methods to enrich Δ8-THC appear in literature and are discussed based on their likelihood as sources of this cannabinoid in these samples from the EVALI investigation. The presence of high levels of Δ8-THC in numerous illicit vaping products may implicate cannabidiol, which is readily available at low cost, as its synthetic precursor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan C Duffy
- Medical Marijuana Laboratory and Laboratory of Organic Analytical Chemistry, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12201, USA
| | - Lingyun Li
- Medical Marijuana Laboratory and Laboratory of Organic Analytical Chemistry, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12201, USA
| | - Shijun Lu
- Medical Marijuana Laboratory and Laboratory of Organic Analytical Chemistry, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12201, USA.,Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, One University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
| | - Mark A Dittmar
- Medical Marijuana Laboratory and Laboratory of Organic Analytical Chemistry, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12201, USA
| | - E M Delaney-Baldwin
- Medical Marijuana Laboratory and Laboratory of Organic Analytical Chemistry, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12201, USA
| | - Lorie A Durocher
- Medical Marijuana Laboratory and Laboratory of Organic Analytical Chemistry, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12201, USA
| | - David C Spink
- Medical Marijuana Laboratory and Laboratory of Organic Analytical Chemistry, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12201, USA.,Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, One University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
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3
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Popovic A, Morelato M, Roux C, Beavis A. Review of the most common chemometric techniques in illicit drug profiling. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 302:109911. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.109911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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4
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Meier‐Augenstein W. Forensic stable isotope signatures: Comparing, geo‐locating, detecting linkage. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/wfs2.1339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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5
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Casale JF, Casale ES, Toske SG, Hays PA, Panicker S. Characterization and origin of the ‘B’ and ‘C’ compounds in the acid/neutral forensic signatures of heroin - products from the acylation of porphyroxine and subsequent hydrolysis. Drug Test Anal 2015; 9:462-469. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.1922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Revised: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John F. Casale
- Special Testing and Research Laboratory; U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; 22624 Dulles Summit Court Dulles VA 20166-9509 USA
| | - Ellen S. Casale
- Special Testing and Research Laboratory; U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; 22624 Dulles Summit Court Dulles VA 20166-9509 USA
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6
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Isotope ratio mass spectrometry as a tool for source inference in forensic science: A critical review. Forensic Sci Int 2015; 251:139-58. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Revised: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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7
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Precursor discrimination of designer drug benzylpiperazine using δ13C and δ15N stable isotopes. Sci Justice 2015; 55:57-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2014.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2014] [Revised: 08/06/2014] [Accepted: 09/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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8
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A recommended procedure for establishing the source level relationships between heroin case samples of unknown origins. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejfs.2014.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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9
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Chan KW. Evaluation of Chan’s tetrahedron classification method and Karweng dissimilarity index using heroin impurity data. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejfs.2013.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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10
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Zhang JX, Chen CY. A rapid method for profiling samples of illicit heroin. Drug Test Anal 2012; 4:530-3. [DOI: 10.1002/dta.1335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2012] [Revised: 02/10/2012] [Accepted: 02/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jian-xin Zhang
- Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security; Beijing; 100193; China
| | - Cun-yi Chen
- Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center of the Ministry of Public Security; Beijing; 100193; China
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11
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Gentile N, Besson L, Pazos D, Delémont O, Esseiva P. On the use of IRMS in forensic science: proposals for a methodological approach. Forensic Sci Int 2011; 212:260-71. [PMID: 21775081 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2011] [Revised: 06/06/2011] [Accepted: 07/01/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The flourishing number of publications on the use of isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) in forensic science denotes the enthusiasm and the attraction generated by this technology. IRMS has demonstrated its potential to distinguish chemically identical compounds coming from different sources. Despite the numerous applications of IRMS to a wide range of forensic materials, its implementation in a forensic framework is less straightforward than it appears. In addition, each laboratory has developed its own strategy of analysis on calibration, sequence design, standards utilisation and data treatment without a clear consensus. Through the experience acquired from research undertaken in different forensic fields, we propose a methodological framework of the whole process using IRMS methods. We emphasize the importance of considering isotopic results as part of a whole approach, when applying this technology to a particular forensic issue. The process is divided into six different steps, which should be considered for a thoughtful and relevant application. The dissection of this process into fundamental steps, further detailed, enables a better understanding of the essential, though not exhaustive, factors that have to be considered in order to obtain results of quality and sufficiently robust to proceed to retrospective analyses or interlaboratory comparisons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natacha Gentile
- Institut de Police Scientifique, Ecole des Sciences Criminelles, Université de Lausanne, Batochime, 1015 Lausanne-Dorigny, Switzerland.
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12
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Morello DR, Cooper SD, Panicker S, Casale JF. Signature Profiling and Classification of Illicit Heroin by GC-MS Analysis of Acidic and Neutral Manufacturing Impurities. J Forensic Sci 2010; 55:42-9. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.01220.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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13
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Daeid NN, Buchanan HAS, Savage KA, Fraser JG, Cresswell SL. Recent Advances in the Application of Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis in Forensic Chemistry. Aust J Chem 2010. [DOI: 10.1071/ch09414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This review paper updates the previous literature in relation to the continued and developing use of stable isotope ratio analysis in samples which are relevant to forensic science. Recent advances in the analysis of drug samples, explosive materials, and samples derived from human and animal samples are discussed. The paper also aims to put the use of isotope ratio mass spectrometry into a forensic context and discuss its evidential potential.
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14
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Gentile N, Siegwolf RTW, Delémont O. Study of isotopic variations in black powder: reflections on the use of stable isotopes in forensic science for source inference. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2009; 23:2559-2567. [PMID: 19603456 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.4134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) has recently made its appearance in the forensic community. This high-precision technology has already been applied to a broad range of forensic fields such as illicit drugs, explosives and flammable liquids, where current, routinely used techniques have limited powers of discrimination. The conclusions drawn from the majority of these IRMS studies appear to be very promising. Used in a comparative process, as in food or drug authentication, the measurement of stable isotope ratios is a new and remarkable analytical tool for the discrimination or the identification of a substance with a definite source or origin. However, the research consists mostly of preliminary studies. The significance of this 'new' piece of information needs to be evaluated in light of a forensic framework to assess the actual potential and validity of IRMS, considering the characteristics of each field. Through the isotopic study of black powder, this paper aims at illustrating the potential of the method and the limitations of current knowledge in stable isotopes when facing forensic problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natacha Gentile
- Institut de Police Scientifique, Ecole des Sciences Criminelles, Université de Lausanne, 1015 Dorigny, Switzerland.
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15
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Ehleringer JR, Cerling TE, West JB, Podlesak DW, Chesson LA, Bowen GJ. Spatial Considerations of Stable Isotope Analyses in Environmental Forensics. ENVIRONMENTAL FORENSICS 2008. [DOI: 10.1039/9781847558343-00036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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16
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Buchanan HAS, Daéid NN, Meier-Augenstein W, Kemp HF, Kerr WJ, Middleditch M. Emerging Use of Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry as a Tool for Discrimination of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine by Synthetic Route. Anal Chem 2008; 80:3350-6. [DOI: 10.1021/ac702559s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hilary A. S. Buchanan
- Centre for Forensic Science, Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, 204 George Street, Glasgow G1 1WX, Stable Isotope Forensic Facility, Environmental Engineering Research Centre, Queen's University Belfast, David Keir Building, Belfast BT9 5AG
| | - Niamh Nic Daéid
- Centre for Forensic Science, Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, 204 George Street, Glasgow G1 1WX, Stable Isotope Forensic Facility, Environmental Engineering Research Centre, Queen's University Belfast, David Keir Building, Belfast BT9 5AG
| | - Wolfram Meier-Augenstein
- Centre for Forensic Science, Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, 204 George Street, Glasgow G1 1WX, Stable Isotope Forensic Facility, Environmental Engineering Research Centre, Queen's University Belfast, David Keir Building, Belfast BT9 5AG
| | - Helen F. Kemp
- Centre for Forensic Science, Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, 204 George Street, Glasgow G1 1WX, Stable Isotope Forensic Facility, Environmental Engineering Research Centre, Queen's University Belfast, David Keir Building, Belfast BT9 5AG
| | - William J. Kerr
- Centre for Forensic Science, Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, 204 George Street, Glasgow G1 1WX, Stable Isotope Forensic Facility, Environmental Engineering Research Centre, Queen's University Belfast, David Keir Building, Belfast BT9 5AG
| | - Michael Middleditch
- Centre for Forensic Science, Department of Pure & Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, 204 George Street, Glasgow G1 1WX, Stable Isotope Forensic Facility, Environmental Engineering Research Centre, Queen's University Belfast, David Keir Building, Belfast BT9 5AG
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17
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Shibuya EK, Sarkis JES, Negrini-Neto O, Martinelli LA. Carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes as indicative of geographical origin of marijuana samples seized in the city of São Paulo (Brazil). Forensic Sci Int 2007; 167:8-15. [PMID: 16846711 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2006.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2005] [Revised: 05/21/2006] [Accepted: 06/02/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The drug trafficking is one of the most serious problems related to the Public Safety in Brazil, especially in the most populous areas of the country, as is the case of the city of São Paulo. In this work, it was developed a methodology that can help tracking the traffic routes of marijuana samples seized in the city of São Paulo, based on stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes, which are related to the climate and plant growth conditions. A model to classify the origin of unknown samples was built using linear discriminant analysis based on about 150 samples apprehended in the main producing regions of the country. Results for 76 samples seized in the city of São Paulo showed that most of them were cultivated in a humid region with the same origin as those from Mato Grosso do Sul. The provenance of 13 outliers samples from Northeast region (an important producing region) also were evaluated and some of them presented same profile of those from Mato Grosso do Sul, pointing to the existence of the traffic routes between the Northeast and Midwest region, probably as a consequence of the intensive field raids by Brazilian Federal Government since 1999.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa K Shibuya
- Laboratório de Caracterização Química e Isotópica, Centro de Química e Meio Ambiente, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN/CNEN-SP, Av. Lineu Prestes 2242, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo/SP CEP 05508-000, Brazil.
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18
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Odell LR, Skopec J, McCluskey A. A ‘cold synthesis’ of heroin and implications in heroin signature analysis. Forensic Sci Int 2006; 164:221-9. [PMID: 16563682 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2006.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2005] [Revised: 01/25/2006] [Accepted: 02/02/2006] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of morphine, at room temperature, with a mixture of trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA) and acetic acid (20-30min) affords good yields of heroin. GC-MS and HPLC examination shows that heroin produced by this route to be extremely clean, but the product contains slightly less heroin than observed via the more traditional acetic anhydride (AA) route (76.1% versus 83.55%); and greater quantities of 3-MAM and 6-MAM (6.9% versus 0.75% and 7.13% versus 0.63%). The concentration ratios of the major alkaloid impurities were found to be both production method (TFAA and AA) as well as morphine extraction methodology dependant. Data contained herein describe the impact of this new production method on current intelligence efforts, largely by-passing existing heroin signature programs and the UNDCP's efforts to restrict access to key synthetic precursors. Given the methodology dependency we find that examination of the major alkaloid ratios is unsuitable for the development of a new heroin signature program. Further examination of the TFAA methodology allowed the identification of TFAA specific marker compounds, namely bis-trifluoroacetylmorphine (30), 3-trifluoroacetyl-6-acetylmorphine (31), 3-acetyl-6-trifluoroacetylmorphine (32) and trifluoroacetylcodeine (33). However, the hydrolytic lability of trifluroacetyl esters requires careful treatment of suspect samples, thus we propose a modification to existing HSP's in instances were the 6-MAM/WM ratio falls within the average minimum and maximum values of 6.17 and 17.32.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke R Odell
- Chemistry Building, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
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19
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Shibuya EK, Souza Sarkis JE, Neto ON, Moreira MZ, Victoria RL. Sourcing Brazilian marijuana by applying IRMS analysis to seized samples. Forensic Sci Int 2006; 160:35-43. [PMID: 16183231 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2005.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2005] [Revised: 08/18/2005] [Accepted: 08/19/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios were measured in marijuana samples (Cannabis sativa L.) seized by the law enforcement officers in the three Brazilian production sites: Pernambuco and Bahia (the country's Northeast known as Marijuana Polygon), Pará (North or Amazon region) and Mato Grosso do Sul (Midwest). These regions are regarded as different with respect to climate and water availability, factors which impact upon the isotope fractionations of these elements within plants. It was possible to differentiate samples from the dry regions (Marijuana Polygon) from those from Mato Grosso do Sul and Pará, that present heavier rainfall. The results were in agreement with the climatic conditions of the suspected regions of origin and this demonstrates that seized samples can be used to identify the isotopic signatures of marijuana from the main producing regions in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa K Shibuya
- Laboratório de Caracterização Química e Isotópica, Centro de Química e Meio Ambiente, Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, IPEN/CNEN-SP, Av. Lineu Prestes 2242, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, CEP 05508-900, Brazil.
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20
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Casale J, Casale E, Collins M, Morello D, Cathapermal S, Panicker S. Stable Isotope Analyses of Heroin Seized from the Merchant Vessel Pong Su. J Forensic Sci 2006; 51:603-6. [PMID: 16696708 DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2006.00123.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
A new type of heroin HCl seized in Australia was examined by stable isotope analysis. The final origin/process classification of these samples by chromatographic signature profiles of the impurity/manufacturing by-products was previously determined to be "unknown" by two independent national laboratories. Various drug enforcement authorities speculated that the heroin might be from a new region or new illicit process due to the unusual chromatographic impurity profiles that were present. Samples from 20 different kilogram packages were examined for isotopic content to determine if the samples fit isotopic patterns of known origins or if they were unique to any known origins. Authentic specimens from Southeast Asian (N=59), Southwest Asia (N=37), South America (N=104), and Mexico (N=21) we concomitantly examined for comparison purposes. Both continuous flow elemental analysis-isotope ratio mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry techniques were utilized. Heroin samples were also converted to morphine, without apparent isotopic fractionation, utilizing methanolic HCl for gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The Pong Su samples were found to be isotopically and isotopically/alkaloidally distinct from the known origin/process classifications of Southwest Asian, Southeast Asian, South American, and Mexican.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Casale
- U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Testing and Research Laboratory, Dulles, VA 20166-9509, USA.
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21
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Wickens JR, Sleeman R, Keely BJ. Atmospheric pressure ionisation mass spectrometric fragmentation pathways of noscapine and papaverine revealed by multistage mass spectrometry and in-source deuterium labelling. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2006; 20:473-80. [PMID: 16395740 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.2325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Two opium alkaloids, noscapine and papaverine, show good response as [M+H]+ ions in positive ion electrospray mass spectrometry and atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectrometry. The two compounds exhibit markedly different fragmentation pathways and behaviour under multistage mass spectrometry (MSn), with papaverine displaying a wealth of ions in MS2 and noscapine providing a single dominant ion at each stage of MSn prior to MS4. Elucidation of the fragmentation pathways using the MSn capability of the ion trap was aided by spraying the analytes in 2H2O to incorporate an isotopic label. Simplex optimisation allowed optimum trapping and fragmentation parameters to be determined, leading to a six-fold improvement in response for one transition and a seven-fold improvement for one transition sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R Wickens
- Chemistry Department, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK
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22
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Ribaux O, Walsh SJ, Margot P. The contribution of forensic science to crime analysis and investigation: Forensic intelligence. Forensic Sci Int 2006; 156:171-81. [PMID: 16099615 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2004] [Accepted: 12/30/2004] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The debate in forensic science concentrates on issues such as standardisation, accreditation and de-contextualisation, in a legal and economical context, in order to ensure the scientific objectivity and efficiency that must guide the process of collecting, analysing, interpreting and reporting forensic evidence. At the same time, it is recognised that forensic case data is still poorly integrated into the investigation and the crime analysis process, despite evidence of its great potential in various situations and studies. A change of attitude is needed in order to accept an extended role for forensic science that goes beyond the production of evidence for the court. To stimulate and guide this development, a long-term intensive modelling activity of the investigative and crime analysis process that crosses the boundaries of different disciplines has been initiated. A framework that fully integrates forensic case data shows through examples the capital accumulated that may be put to use systematically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Ribaux
- Ecole des Sciences Criminefles, Université de Lausanne, BCH, 1015 Lausanne-Dorigny, Switzerland.
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23
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Idoine FA, Carter JF, Sleeman R. Bulk and compound-specific isotopic characterisation of illicit heroin and cling film. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2005; 19:3207-15. [PMID: 16220464 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.2153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Comparative analysis involves various but complementary methods and can be used for forensic intelligence purposes to group seizures of heroin into batches. Much forensic analysis now combines expertise in the traditional area of drugs investigation with a detailed understanding of supply, packaging, distribution, and drugs intelligence. It was the intention of this research to determine whether illicit heroin seizures and packaging material can be grouped according to isotopic compositions, and to explore factors that affect the isotopic compositions. In order to achieve these aims, 14 samples of seized heroin, thirteen provided by Avon and Somerset Constabulary (UK), were analysed by elemental analysis/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA/IRMS) and gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS) for carbon and hydrogen isotopes. These tests elucidated that a combination of the delta13C, delta15N, delta18O and delta2H results from EA/IRMS is able to distinguish between most samples of bulk heroin. We speculate that the delta13C values of the alkaloids, obtained by GC/C/IRMS, give indications of different geographical or temporal origins of some of the heroin samples. GC/C/IRMS of the cutting agent, caffeine, provides a means to link dilution events. Fifteen retail cling film samples and seven cling film samples from heroin seizures were analysed by EA/IRMS. A multivariate comparison of the carbon, hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios was able to distinguish between most of the samples. This technique enabled the cling films from the heroin to be grouped according to seizure. Three solvents were tested on two samples of cling film of known composition. Methanol and chloroform were both found to extract material from PVC and from non-PVC cling films. Water-treated PVC was indistinguishable from the untreated PVC and thus water was found to be the most suitable solvent when washing cling film prior to IRMS analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fay A Idoine
- Mass Spec Analytical Ltd., Building 20F, Golf Course Lane, P.O. Box 77, Filton, Bristol BS99 7AR, UK.
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Kurashima N, Makino Y, Sekita S, Urano Y, Nagano T. Determination of Origin of Ephedrine Used as Precursor for Illicit Methamphetamine by Carbon and Nitrogen Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis. Anal Chem 2004; 76:4233-6. [PMID: 15253668 DOI: 10.1021/ac035417c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The sale of ephedrine, one of the precursors of methamphetamine, is strictly controlled and monitored in various countries to prevent the production of illicit methamphetamine. There are three kinds of production scheme for ephedrine manufacture, and it is very useful for precursor control to investigate the origin of ephedrine used for the synthesis of illicit methamphetamine. By means of stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IR-MS), we investigated the origin of ephedrine based on the delta(13)C and delta(15)N values. The various origins of ephedrine (biosynthetic, semisynthetic, or synthetic) could be discriminated clearly by using these values. The delta(15)N values of synthetic ephedrine were more negative than those of ephedrine from other sources. By the repeated distillation of methylamine in our laboratory, we confirmed that this could be due to isotope separation during distillation for the purification of methylamine used for ephedrine synthesis. The values for ephedrine used as the precursor were well-correlated with those for methamphetamine synthesized from it. This drug characterization analysis should be useful to illuminate the origin of the precursors used for clandestine methamphetamine and to trace the diversion of medicinal ephedrine for illicit manufacture of methamphetamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Kurashima
- Central Customs Laboratory, Ministry of Finance, 6-3-5, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa-shi, Chiba 277-0882, Japan
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Esseiva P, Dujourdy L, Anglada F, Taroni F, Margot P. A methodology for illicit heroin seizures comparison in a drug intelligence perspective using large databases. Forensic Sci Int 2003; 132:139-52. [PMID: 12711194 DOI: 10.1016/s0379-0738(03)00010-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
To characterise links between different illicit drugs chemical profiles, various distance or correlation measurements are available.Different comparison methods have been tested and a method based on a correlation coefficient using a square cosine function was chosen to compare heroin chemical profiles. Its functioning and graphical representation are described. An assessment of the number of false positives is calculated and lead to a negligible number.Moreover, it emerges from the studies that possible variations in impurity peak areas subject to possible degradations do not influence the C correlation value nor question the already established links. This solid, reliable and simple method appears therefore suitable for heroin samples comparison, links profiling and routine use.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Esseiva
- Institut de Police Scientifique et de Criminologie, University of Lausanne, BCH, 1015 Lausanne-Dorigny, VD, Switzerland.
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Dams R, Benijts T, Lambert WE, Massart DL, De Leenheer AP. Heroin impurity profiling: trends throughout a decade of experimenting. Forensic Sci Int 2001; 123:81-8. [PMID: 11728732 DOI: 10.1016/s0379-0738(01)00541-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Heroin is still one of the most frequently abused drugs of today. All over the world, law enforcement agencies try to eradicate the illicit production and trafficking of this potent and highly addictive narcotic. To this aim, important information is provided by physical and chemical toxicological analysis of confiscated samples, with special attention for the identification and the quantification of minor components, such as the impurities related to the origin and manufacturing. By combining these data complex characterisations, i.e. impurity profiles, chemical signatures or fingerprints, can be obtained and used for comparative analysis. This review focuses on heroin impurity profiling during the 1990s, proclaimed by the United Nations as the 'Decade for Eradicating Drug Abuse'. Special attention will be given to the new trends in analytical techniques as well as in data handling strategies, so called chemometrics, to produce these profiles. The latter can be used in comparative analysis of seized heroin samples for tactical (batch-to-batch comparison) and strategic (origin determination) intelligence purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Dams
- Laboratorium voor Toxicologie, Universiteit Gent, Harelbekestraat 72, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
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Chapter 1 Opiate agonists. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2000. [DOI: 10.1016/s1567-7192(00)80051-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
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Ehleringer JR, Cooper DA, Lott MJ, Cook CS. Geo-location of heroin and cocaine by stable isotope ratios. Forensic Sci Int 1999. [DOI: 10.1016/s0379-0738(99)00139-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Chiarotti M, Fucci N. Comparative analysis of heroin and cocaine seizures. JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY. B, BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES AND APPLICATIONS 1999; 733:127-36. [PMID: 10572978 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4347(99)00240-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
In this brief review the analytical techniques mainly used for comparative analysis of both cocaine and heroin seizures are reported. The characterization of illicit samples is carried out by means of a variety of techniques including thin-layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography and capillary electrophoresis. By means of these technique it is possible to resolve some component in illicit drugs and their application for comparative analyses is described in this review. Owing to the complexity and the variability of the mixture related to the origin and manufacturing impurities a unique analytical approach based on the application of a single technique it is not sufficient to achieve the requested global characterization of the sample for comparative purposes. Generally a complete characterization is obtained focusing on the identification of minor and major components, origin and manufacturing impurities other than trace compounds such as solvent residues. Nevertheless the application of a single robust methods able to resolve any possible significant marker compounds, is still not described and there is a need for a standardized general procedure suitable for a complete cross-examination of analytical data related to comparative analyses that can be carried out at an international level.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Chiarotti
- Istituto di Medicina Legale Universita' Cattolica, Rome, Italy
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Affiliation(s)
- T A Brettell
- Forensic Science Bureau, New Jersey State Police, West Trenton 08625, USA
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