NCJ Number
143828
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 36 Issue: 5 Dated: (September 1991) Pages: 1312-1330
Date Published
1991
Length
19 pages
Annotation
Signature patterns of cocaine samples were examined by capillary gas chromatography using 14 impurities commonly found in illicit cocaine samples; acidic, basic, and neutral impurities were associated with the coca plant and the processing of cocaine in clandestine laboratories.
Abstract
The simple, one-step derivatization procedure to obtain chromatographic impurity signature profile analyses of cocaine was employed to determine if two or more exhibits could have originated from the same batch. Eliminating sample preparation was advantageous in limiting artifacts or impurities from being introduced due to operator manipulation of the exhibit. Statistical analysis showed only two sets of impurities with high correlations, thus exhibiting a good degree of randomness between mpurities of different cocaine batches. The procedure was sufficiently sensitive for determining the same batch exhibits. Exhibits of common batch origin could be determined and gave virtually identical chromatographic profiles, while profiles were found to be unique for separate batches. The authors suggest that a reliable computerized pattern recognition program would enhance the procedure and that further work using a more sensitive methodology, such as gas chromatography-electron capture detection, could be pursued.