Identification of the polymer-bounded drugs on the fabric surface: A challenge to the forensic drug analysts

被引:2
作者
Akhtar, Shahnaz [1 ]
Razaq, Abdul [1 ]
Faras, Khalid Sajjad [1 ]
Ashiq, Muhammad Irfan [1 ]
Tahir, Mohammad Ashraf [1 ]
机构
[1] Punjab Forens Sci Agcy, Old Multan Rd, Lahore, Pakistan
关键词
drug extraction; drug trafficking; heroin; illicit drugs; law enforcement; polymer-bounded drug; HEROIN;
D O I
10.1111/1556-4029.14980
中图分类号
DF [法律]; D9 [法律]; R [医药、卫生];
学科分类号
0301 ; 10 ;
摘要
Drug trafficking through concealment has always been a method of choice for drug traffickers all around the world. This case shares a new trend in the smuggling of illicit drugs by applying a coating of drug and polymer mixture on fabric. A white fabric sample was submitted by a law enforcement agency to detect the presence of any explosive material on its surface. Later on it was also tested for illicit drugs. Stereomicroscope and Scanning Electron Microscope/Energy Dispersive X-ray Detector (SEM/EDX) were applied for microscopic examination. Acetone extract of the sample was analyzed for explosives by explosive detection kit, Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GCMS), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The routine method involving methanol as solvent was used to check heroin presence. Methanol extract of the sample was analyzed by Mecke test and GCMS. Stereomicroscope and SEM/EDX revealed the presence of some unusual coating on one side of fabric. No explosive material was detected; instead GCMS (method 1) confirmed the presence of heroin (mass fragments 268, 310, 327, and 369 m/z) and FTIR spectrum revealed presence of a polymeric material (dyneema). No drug was identified by GCMS (method 2). Method 2 was modified by replacing methanol with acetone and including an additional step of sonication for 30 min. Acetone extract showed green color with Mecke reagent and a strong signal of heroin on GCMS. This modified extraction method acted well to unbind the coated material from the fabric and to disentangle the drug from the polymer.
引用
收藏
页码:1267 / 1273
页数:7
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