Tracing the source of illicit drugs through plastic packaging--a database

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Plastic drug packaging is prevalent globally, with potential variations between manufacturing regions.
• Establishing methods to differentiate packaging origins is crucial for forensic and quality control applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze common plastic drug packaging materials from Australia and Asia.
• To determine significant differences between packaging sources.
• To assess the evidential value of various analytical techniques and create a database.

Main Methods:

• Standardized protocol involving optical examination, UV-visible spectrophotometry, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry.
• Measurement of thickness and weight.
• Visualization of machining marks using crossed polarized light.

Main Results:

• Visual examination was the most effective method for sample discrimination.
• Machining mark visualization and thickness/weight measurements provided valuable comparative data.
• UV-visible spectrophotometry showed some discriminatory value; FTIR effectively determined polymer composition.
• Significant differences were identified between Australian and overseas packaging samples.

Conclusions:

• Plastic packaging material properties serve as reliable indicators of brand or origin.
• A comprehensive "Australian Database of Drug Packaging Materials" was established.
• The findings support the use of these analytical methods in forensic identification and provenance determination.