NCJ Number
187185
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 46 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2001 Pages: 144-146
Date Published
January 2001
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This paper describes the materials, methods, and results of an analysis that detected cocaine in syringes and fruit found in a supermarket.
Abstract
Product tampering, as detailed by the Federal Anti-Tampering Act of 1983, is a felony punishable by both fine and imprisonment. The rationale for product tampering ranges from pranks and attention-seeking acts to extortion, terrorism, and homicide. One such case submitted for analysis involved four medical syringes found in a supermarket and suspected of being used to tamper with various products. One of the syringes was found piercing a pear, and the other three syringes were found with needles exposed in other parts of the supermarket. Microscopic analysis was used to collect residue from the syringe barrels and the pear. A multidisciplinary approach that involved a Nikon SMZ-U 1:10 Zoom Stereo Light Microscope, polarized light microscopy -- including microchemical analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analyses -- was performed on the residual liquid found in the syringe barrels and in the suspect pear confirmed the presence of cocaine. This multidisciplinary approach is often necessary when there is a possible health risk to the public and rapid response is important. With this approach, it was quickly determined which drugs or poisons were used in this tampering. 3 figures and 4 references