NCJ Number
131257
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 36 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1991) Pages: 1102-1120
Date Published
1991
Length
19 pages
Annotation
Minor components in illicit uncut cocaine samples from Canada were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC) together with flame ionization detection (FID) and mass spectrometry (MS).
Abstract
Studies were conducted on samples randomly selected and submitted from across Canada and from a large importation of cocaine produced by two laboratories. Two HPLC systems determined the relative amounts of the main coca alkaloids: cocaine, cis-cinnamoylmethlyecgonine (CIS), and transcinnamoyl-methylecgonine (TRANS) in the cocaine exhibits. The HPLC system 2 provided greater capabilities in data acquisition and allowed for the generation of ultraviolet spectra over the full ranges, whereas the solvent system in the HPLC system 1 prohibited the acquisition of spectral information below 240 nm due to absorption. The co-alkaloid ratios were calculated using the absolute integration values from the chromatographic data. The GC/FID and GC/MS were used to determine only the acidic and neutral components of cocaine exhibits. The results indicated that the use of co-alkaloid ratio comparison permits only the linking of samples derived from the same or closely matched batches; samples from the same processing facility with different alkaloid ratios would not be identified as being related. The profiling alone would distinguish a large production batch or manufacturer and thus be useful to determine distribution patterns over a wide area. However it would not determine profiles of cocaine exhibits seized at single police investigations. 6 tables, 10 figures, and 6 references (Author abstract modified)