Forensic Drug Analysis | FT-IR Spectroscopy | Identification of Unknown Illegal Drugs ALPHA II

Summary

This video highlights the ongoing global battle against drug trafficking, where illegal drug sales generate an estimated $500 billion annually. It explores how law enforcement uses FT-IR spectroscopy to identify illicit substances and their cutting agents. The technique allows for precise, rapid analysis, even in challenging cases where drugs are concealed in substances like starch or flour. The process, involving infrared spectroscopy and spectral reference libraries, aids forensic scientists and law enforcement in identifying drugs like cocaine, improving the accuracy and speed of investigations and court proceedings. FT-IR spectroscopy is a powerful tool in the fight against drug trafficking.

Takeaways

• 😀 The global illicit drug trade generates an estimated $500 billion annually.
• 😀 Street drugs like heroin and cocaine are rarely pure and often contain cutting agents.
• 😀 Law enforcement uses infrared spectroscopy (IR) to identify drugs and cutting agents.
• 😀 FT-IR spectroscopy provides detailed breakdowns of drug samples, helping in analysis.
• 😀 The TICTAC forensic spectral reference library offers additional data on street drugs and agents.
• 😀 The analysis of concealed drugs, hidden in substances like starch or flour, requires specific methods.
• 😀 Organic solvents like methanol or ether are used to extract drugs from hidden substances for analysis.
• 😀 Starch and flour do not dissolve in methanol, making them useful for separating the drugs for analysis.
• 😀 Quick solvent evaporation techniques can reduce FT-IR analysis time from minutes to seconds.
• 😀 The FT-IR method allows for accurate identification of substances like cocaine hydrochloride through library searches.
• 😀 FT-IR spectroscopy aids in forensic science by providing reliable evidence for drug trafficking cases, helping law enforcement and the prosecution.

Q & A

What is the estimated annual turnover of illegally sold drugs worldwide?

The annual turnover of illegally sold drugs is estimated at approximately 500 billion dollars.

Why are street drugs like heroin and cocaine rarely pure?

Street drugs like heroin and cocaine are rarely pure because they often contain large amounts of cutting or lacing agents, which are added to maximize profits or increase potency.

How does law enforcement identify drugs and their cutting or lacing agents?

Law enforcement uses infrared (IR) spectroscopy to reliably identify drugs and their cutting or lacing agents by analyzing the substance placed on an ATR Crystal of the instrument.

Why can differentiating between illicit drugs be challenging?

Differentiating between illicit drugs can be challenging because many drugs share similar chemical and physical properties.

How does FT-IR spectroscopy help in identifying drugs and cutting agents?

FT-IR spectroscopy provides a complete breakdown of the drug sample by utilizing dedicated spectral reference libraries, allowing the identification of drugs and their composition.

What role does the TICTAC forensic spectral reference library play in drug analysis?

The TICTAC forensic spectral reference library provides additional information about identified drugs, cutting agents, and lacing agents, helping forensic scientists to make accurate identifications.

How are illicit drugs sometimes concealed for trafficking purposes?

Illicit drugs are sometimes concealed by hiding small amounts of drugs like cocaine in substances such as starch, flour, or sugar, which can obscure the drug's spectral signature.

What method is used to extract drugs from matrices like starch or flour?

Organic solvents like methanol or ether are used to extract drugs from matrices like starch or flour. These substances are insoluble in methanol and precipitate, allowing for separation.

How does the analysis of stamps infused with NPSs (Novel Psychoactive Substances) work?

Stamps infused with NPSs or legal highs can be analyzed using the same extraction method involving organic solvents to isolate the drug from the stamp material.

How does the use of a heatable measurement interface improve the analysis process?

The use of a heatable measurement interface allows for the quick evaporation of the solvent, reducing the analysis time from several minutes to just a few seconds.

How does FT-IR spectroscopy help law enforcement and forensic scientists in court cases?

FT-IR spectroscopy helps law enforcement and forensic scientists by providing rapid screening and reliable identification of drugs, assisting in accurate statements and the prosecution of drug trafficking in court.

How does FT-IR spectroscopy contribute to making the world safer?

FT-IR spectroscopy contributes to making the world safer by assisting in the prosecution of drug trafficking, thus helping to reduce the prevalence of illicit drugs and crime.