NCJ Number
220415
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 52 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2007 Pages: 1063-1067
Date Published
September 2007
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This paper reports on the results of using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in order to screen tablets for 2,5,-Dimethoxy-4-bromoamphetamine (DOB), which is of particular interest among the various "ecstasy" variants, because there is an unusually long delay between consumption and effect, which significantly increases the danger of an accidental overdose in users.
Abstract
On-tablet SERS was found to provide a rapid, straightforward, and unambiguous means for distinguishing between low-dose DOB tablets and tablets with no active constituent. The signal levels were very high, and the measurement was conducted by using standard colloids and 785-mm excitation, which is the wavelength of the lasers commonly used in benchtop Raman spectrometers. The detection limit is significantly lower than the active pharmacologic dose, and the test can be performed in less than 1 minute. The most common active compounds in seized "ecstasy" tablets are MDMA and 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine (MDEA). The average level of drug in tablets that contain these common active compounds is usually 50-100 mg per tablet; however, some "ecstasy-type" compounds are potent at much lower doses. The most notable of these compounds is DOB, which is active at 0.2 mg. When DOB is present in a tablet, users do not experience the rapid onset of effects obtained from MDMA. This may cause them to consume more tablets. When the effects arrive, they are of longer duration (12-24 hours), and they include the psychiatric dissociation effects that ecstasy users can suffer. SERS studies (785-nm excitation) were conducted on a series of model DOB/lactose tablets (total mass of approximately 400 mg) that contained between 1 mg and 15 mg of DOB. 1 table, 4 figures, and 23 references