Geographic Origin Determination of Heroin and Cocaine Using Site-Specific Isotopic Ratio Deuterium NMR

• NCJ Number: 183932
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 45 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2000 Pages: 552-562
• Author(s): Patrick A. Hays B.S.; Gerald S. Remaud Ph.D.; Eric Jamin Ph.D.; Yves-Loic Martin Ph.D.
• Date Published: May 2000
• Length: 11 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Technical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article determines the geographic origin of heroin and cocaine using site-specific isotopic ratio deuterium NMR.

Abstract

SNIF-NMR (site-specific natural isotopic fractionation measured by deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance) was used on 36 heroin samples from seven different known origins and two cocaine samples from two different known origins. Heroin has two “synthetic” deuterium labeled sites (the two acetyls from acetic anhydride, each representing three equivalent nuclei) and 15 “natural” deuterium labeled sites (originating from the morphine produced in the opium plant). The “natural” sites have the potential for determining geographic location of the original opium plant, while the “synthetic” sites could assist in giving information about the commercial source of acetic anhydride used to convert morphine to heroin. Cocaine has 15 “natural” deuterium labeled sites. This study shows that SNIF-NMR has some use in determining the geographic origin of heroin and also has good potential for determining the geographic origin of cocaine. Figures, tables, references