The spectroscopic detection of drugs of abuse on textile fibres after recovery with adhesive lifters

Abstract

Fibres are one of the most common forms of evidence associated with forensic investigations. The use of adhesive lifters to recover fibres from crime scene samples has long been established as an effective method to recover such items of evidence.Once fibres have been lifted they are transferred to evidence bags for storage, safe transport and to preserve the chain of evidence. This study shows that when fibres are tape lifted particles of substances present trapped within those fibres are also lifted.Cotton, linen and wool fibres were examined in colours ranging from white to black.Samples of seized ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine and amphetamine were supplied by East Sussex Police and by the TICTAC unit at St Georges Hospital Tooting. The Raman spectra obtained showed that it is possible to identify drugs of abuse from particles trapped within fibres without interference from the fibre itself. It was also possible to obtain spectra after fibres were lifted with adhesive tapes without the detection process being compromised. Raman spectra from particles of drugs of abuse within fibres following tape lifting were also recorded through evidence bags. Again the detection process was not compromised. This initial study has shown that fibres have the potential to provide even more evidence than they do currently. Individuals that

Ab Initio Calculations and Raman and SERS Spectral Analyses of Amphetamine Species

“…Katainen et al [26] reported how they could quantify the amphetamine content in seized street samples by Raman spectroscopy, using an internal phosphate ion standard. The spectroscopic detection of amphetamine (and other common drugs of abuse) on textile fibres after recovering with adhesive lifters was demonstrated by West and Went [27].…”

Detection of drugs of abuse by Raman spectroscopy

“…[34,35] Pure and seized samples of cocaine hydrochloride, MDMA, ketamine and amphetamine can readily be detected on a range of natural, synthetic, and dyed textiles in a range of colours from white to black. [34,35] Pure and seized samples of cocaine hydrochloride, MDMA, ketamine and amphetamine can readily be detected on a range of natural, synthetic, and dyed textiles in a range of colours from white to black.…”

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

“…They also analyze these drugs of abuse on different wool, linen and cotton fibers in colors ranging from white to black after recovery with adhesive lifters and concluded that textile fibers, lifting process, adhesive lifters and evidence bags did not interfere with the identification of drug particles embedded in fibers. 26 Raman spectroscopic method was developed to analyze and classify simulated street drug mixtures. 27 Helium-neon laser and portable Raman spectrophotometer with 785 nm laser were used to analyze the drug samples.…”