Analysis of 683 drug packages seized from “body stuffers”

A quantitative differentiation method for plastic bags by infrared spectroscopy, thickness measurement and differential scanning calorimetry for tracing the source of illegal drugs

“…This is the analysis most widely requested by Italian Courts, because they are often interested in linking a dealer, who prepared and packed single doses from a quantity of drugs, to the drugaddicts to whom the doses were sold. Pieces of plastic film are also known to be used for the drug packages ingested by ''body stuffers'' [3,4], so their characterization can be exploited in reconstructing the dynamics also of international traffic of illegal substances. To the knowledge of the authors, no systematic study was reported on the European market about this specific type of forensic analytical problem.…”

“…Plastic bags are used to conceal body parts of a victim or other crime related materials [1] and to pack illicit drugs [2][3][4] and may be of interest in arson related investigations [5,6]. In particular, a thorough examination of the packaging used to contain drugs can help in tracing their source.…”

A quantitative differentiation method for plastic bags by wide angle X-ray diffraction for tracing the source of illegal drugs

“…Pieces of plastic film are also known to be used for the drug packages ingested by ''body stuffers'' [3,4], so their characterization can be exploited in reconstructing the dynamics also of international traffic of illegal substances.…”

“…Plastic bags may be items of interest for the forensic scientist, for example, if they are used to conceal body parts of a victim or as packaging of illicit drugs [1][2][3][4][5]. Characterization of plastic packaging material may also be useful in arson related investigations [6,7].…”

“…Characterization of plastic packaging material may also be useful in arson related investigations [6,7]. Recent literature reports stressed the importance of a thorough and significant examination of plastic packaging to trace the source of the illegal drugs contained therein [2,3,5].…”