Related Experiment Videos
A methodology for illicit heroin seizures comparison in a drug intelligence perspective using large databases
P Esseiva1, L Dujourdy, F Anglada
1Institut de Police Scientifique et de Criminologie, University of Lausanne, BCH, 1015 Lausanne-Dorigny, VD, Switzerland. pierre.esseiva@ipsc.unil.ch
Forensic Science International
|April 25, 2003
Summary
A new method using a square cosine function reliably compares heroin chemical profiles, identifying links with minimal false positives. This technique remains accurate despite potential sample degradation.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- Drug Profiling
Background:
- Characterizing links between illicit drug chemical profiles is crucial for forensic investigations.
- Existing distance and correlation measurements have limitations in accurately comparing drug samples.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a robust method for comparing heroin chemical profiles.
- To assess the reliability and suitability of the chosen method for routine forensic use.
Main Methods:
- Tested various distance and correlation measurements for comparing drug chemical profiles.
- Selected and described a method based on a correlation coefficient using a square cosine function for heroin profile comparison.
- Assessed the number of false positives generated by the method.
Main Results:
- The square cosine function method effectively compares heroin chemical profiles.
- The method demonstrated a negligible number of false positives.
- Variations in impurity peak areas due to degradation did not affect the correlation value or established links.
Conclusions:
- The square cosine function method is a solid, reliable, and simple approach for heroin sample comparison.
- This method is suitable for profiling links between heroin samples and for routine forensic analysis.