The identification and quantitation of pharmaceutical preparations is often the most time-consuming analysis performed in the forensic science laboratory. Because of their hygroscopic and polymorphic properties, matching infrared spectra are frequently difficult to obtain. Moreover, many of these compounds also fragment in such a manner that their mass spectra are difficult to interpret. Nuclear magnetic resonance offers an attractive alternative analysis since it avoids these problems and allows simultaneous identification and quantitation of dosage forms. Typical procedures are described for pharmaceutical forms of barbiturates, phenethylamines, quinazolones, benzodiazepines, and ethchlorvynol. This method has been successfully used and in most cases does not require a preliminary separation of the pharmaceutical preparation's components.
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