Comparison Analysis of Illicit Cocaine Samples

Abstract

A rapid method for comparison analysis of illicit cocaine samples has been developed. The raw data are obtained by capillary gas chromatography using a nitrogenphosphorus detector. The area ratios of four alkaloids (tropacocaine, norcocaine, cis-cinnamoylcocaine, and trans-cinnamoylcocaine) to cocaine are calculated for each sample. These ratios are compiled in a computer database which allows easy comparison of samples and makes possible reliable conclusions regarding their commonality of origin.

Discrimination and quantification of cocaine and adulterants in seized drug samples by infrared spectroscopy and PLSR

“…The more a sample is oxidized, the less cinnamoylcocaine it presents. The work of Janzen [5] has shown that cis and trans-cinnamoylcocaine content may be used for purposes of sample comparison. Thus the degree of oxidation has become a relevant parameter for both sample and seizure comparison and correlation.…”

Cocaine profiling for strategic intelligence purposes, a cross-border project between France and Switzerland

“…But all these compounds are unfortunately not detected using a unique method and a decision has to be taken concerning the choice of the compounds which will represent the cocaine samples' signature in order to establish links between samples. Many authors have carried out cocaine profiling but two GC methods stand out, those of Janzen [17] and Casale [18] which are at the origin of the method used in this research.…”

Impurity profiling of seized MDMA tablets by capillary gas chromatography

“…Many papers have been published on the profiling of amphetamine [3,4,5,6,7,8,9], methamphetamine [10,11,12,13,14,15], cocaine [16,17,18] and heroin [19,20,21,22]. For MDMA, some workers have reported impurities or by-products [23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31], and techniques like Raman spectroscopy [32] or isotope ratio mass spectrometry [33] have been used to link seized tablets.…”