Raman spectroscopy for forensic examination of β-ketophenethylamine “legal highs”: Reference and seized samples of cathinone derivatives

Stewart, Samantha; Bell, Steven E. J.; Fletcher, Nicholas C.; Bouazzaoui, Samira; Ho, Yen Cheng; Speers, S. James; Peters, KA

doi:10.1016/j.aca.2011.10.018

Cited by 47 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…[32,[34][35][36][37][38] Maheux and Copland (2011) used a range of analytical techniques including Raman spectroscopy for the identification of cathinones in seized samples. [34] Studies also reported on the use of Raman spectroscopy to discriminate between cathinone regioisomers [35] and derivatives [32] using benchtop Raman instruments employing a laser excitation wavelength (λ ex ) of 785 nm. Bell and coworkers recently reported on the use of Raman spectroscopy for the identification of a range of NPS products using an λ ex of 785 nm.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[31] Although the UNODC does not report on the use of Raman spectroscopy for NPS characterisation, [1] it is considered a Category A forensic technique. [29] For that reason, Raman analysis has been employed in research and forensic analysis [32] for the characterisation of drugs of abuse such as 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA), cocaine and heroin. [33] More recently, a number of studies have evaluated the use of Raman for NPS products.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Identification of new psychoactive substances (NPS) using handheld Raman spectroscopy employing both 785 and 1064 nm laser sources

Guirguis

Girotto

Berti

et al. 2017

Forensic Science International

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The chemical identification of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in the field is challenging due not only to the plethora of substances available, but also as a result of the chemical complexity of products and the chemical similarity of NPS analogues. In this study, handheld Raman spectroscopy and the use of two excitation wavelengths, 785 and 1064 nm, were evaluated for the identification of 60 NPS products. The products contained a range of NPS from classes including the aminoindanes, arylalkylamines, benzodiazepines, and piperidines & pyrrolidines. Identification was initially assessed using the instruments' in built algorithm (i.e., % HQI) and then further by visual inspection of the Raman spectra. Confirmatory analysis was preformed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. For the 60 diverse products, an NPS was successfully identified via the algorithm in 11 products (18 %) using the 785 nm source and 29 products (48 %) using the 1064 nm source. Evaluation of the Raman spectra showed that increasing the excitation wavelength from 785 to 1064 nm improved this 'first pass' identification primarily due to a significant reduction in fluorescence, which increased S/N of the characteristic peaks of the substance identified. True positive correlations between internet products and NPS signatures ranged from 57.0 to 91.3 % HQI with typical RSDs < 10 %. Tablet formulations and branded products were particularly challenging as a result of low NPS concentration and high chemical complexity, respectively. This study demonstrates the advantage of using a 1064 nm source with handheld Raman spectroscopy for improved 'first pass' NPS identification when minimal spectral processing is required, such as when working in field. Future investigations will focus on the use of mixture algorithms, effect of NPS concentration, and further improvement of spectral libraries.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification of new psychoactive substances (NPS) using handheld Raman spectroscopy employing both 785 and 1064 nm laser sources

Guirguis

Girotto

Berti

et al. 2017

Forensic Science International

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“…Fig. S-2.7 shows the Raman spectrum for 4-MMC at 0.5 GPa as well as a plot of the carbonyl stretch that shows the greatest change over the compression [56]. From this graph one can observe that the carbonyl stretch for the final decompressed sample returns to a value close to the ambient pressure form indicating that the phase transformations were reversible.…”

Section: Compression Of Phase II and The Phase Transformation To Phasmentioning

confidence: 88%

Putting the squeeze on mephedrone hydrogen sulfate

Satthaphut¹,

Sutcliffe²,

Oswald³

2014

Zeitschrift Für Kristallographie – Crystalline Materials

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Herein we report the characterisation of a novel salt of the "legal high" (!)-4 0 -methylmethcathinone hydrogen sulfate and its polymorphism under ambient and high pressure conditions. Under ambient pressure only one polymorph of the title compound was isolated but when subjected to high pressure a further two polymorphs are observed. The phase transitions at >0.5 GPa and >3.6 GPa are reversible single crystal to single crystal transitions which is possible due to the similarity of the packing in the molecules. It is proposed that these transitions are driven by the pV term of the Gibbs Free Energy equation rather than by the relief of repulsive interactions between molecules.

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“…Creatine and taurine were used as bulking agents in b-ketophenethylamines while calcium carbonate, paracetamol and sucrose were used as contaminants in seized samples of b-ketophenethylamines. 35 Infrared and confocal Raman microscopic method was presented to characterize and discriminate eight barbiturates (barbital, pentobarbital, butalbital, phenobarbital, amobarbital, secobarbital, pentothal, butabarbital) in powdered form. 36 532 and 633 nm lasers were used to record Raman spectra in the range of 3500-100 cm À1 by confocal Raman microscope.…”

Section: Basic Principles and Instrumentationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…34 Raman spectroscopic method for the rapid characterization of reference and seized samples of b-ketophenethylamine 'legal highs' (KP) of cathinone derivatives was described. 35 A collimated laser beam (40 lm diameter) from 785 nm diode laser with power of 300 mW at sample was used to record Raman spectra. The 20· objective was used in microscope to focus the laser beam on sample.…”

Section: Basic Principles and Instrumentationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Raman spectroscopy – Basic principle, instrumentation and selected applications for the characterization of drugs of abuse

Bumbrah

Sharma

2016

Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences

188

117

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This review gives an overview of the developments in the analysis of drugs of abuse and other illicit substances by Raman spectroscopy for forensic purpose. The review covers the brief overview of basic principle and instrumentation of Raman spectroscopy along with selected and recent applications for characterization of drugs of abuse using this technique. These applications show the potential value of Raman spectroscopy in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of trace amounts of drugs of abuse and other illicit substances on different matrices such as cloth, currency notes, fiber etc., without extensive sample preparation in a non-destructive manner. ª 2015 Hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of The International Association of Law and Forensic Sciences (IALFS).

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Raman spectroscopy for forensic examination of β-ketophenethylamine “legal highs”: Reference and seized samples of cathinone derivatives

Cited by 47 publications

References 12 publications

Identification of new psychoactive substances (NPS) using handheld Raman spectroscopy employing both 785 and 1064 nm laser sources

Identification of new psychoactive substances (NPS) using handheld Raman spectroscopy employing both 785 and 1064 nm laser sources

Putting the squeeze on mephedrone hydrogen sulfate

Raman spectroscopy – Basic principle, instrumentation and selected applications for the characterization of drugs of abuse

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