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Surface granularity as a discriminating feature of illicit tablets
1Department of Illicit Drugs, Netherlands Forensic Institute, Postbus 24044, 2490 AA, Den Haag, The Netherlands. m.lopatka@nfi.minjus.nl
Forensic Science International
|April 9, 2011
Summary
Automated profiling of illicit tablets using surface granularity (tiny inconsistencies) can now differentiate between same-batch and different-batch samples. This novel method improves tablet identification accuracy in forensic databases.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Illicit tablet identification relies on physical characteristics.
- Surface granularity, or speckle patterns, has not been previously utilized for tablet profiling.
- A quantitative method is needed to assess the evidential value of surface features.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an automated methodology for profiling illicit tablets based on surface granularity.
- To quantify the dissimilarity between tablet granularity profiles using Euclidean distance.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of granularity profiles in differentiating same-batch from different-batch tablets.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing speckle patterns on tablet surfaces to generate quantitative granularity profiles.
- Applying Euclidean distance to measure dissimilarity between profiles.
- Employing kernel density estimation to model distance frequencies and calculate likelihood ratios (LRs).
Main Results:
- Likelihood ratios (LRs) were derived to represent the evidential value of granularity profiles.
- Granularity profiles demonstrated potential in distinguishing between same-batch and different-batch tablets.
- Incorporating granularity data improved or maintained the ranking of candidate tablets in 87.5% of database query cases.
Conclusions:
- Surface granularity provides a reliable and previously unexamined feature for automated illicit tablet profiling.
- The developed methodology, using LRs derived from granularity profiles, enhances the accuracy of forensic database searches.
- This approach offers a valuable tool for forensic analysis, improving the identification of illicit substances.
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