Analysis of laced Drugs

Significance of the Topic

Street drugs are frequently adulterated with various substances to increase profit or alter effects. Rapid and reliable identification of these mixtures is crucial for forensic investigations, harm reduction in medical emergencies, and law enforcement actions. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy offers a solvent-free, minimal preparation approach to detect pure and laced drugs on-site.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study demonstrates the application of the ALPHA II Drug Identifier, an ATR-FTIR based system, for both pure and adulterated drug analysis. Key goals include evaluating the device’s ability to identify known compounds, quantify mixture components, and streamline the analysis workflow for forensic and clinical settings.

Methodology

ATR-FTIR spectra were acquired by pressing samples directly onto a diamond ATR crystal, eliminating sample preparation steps and consumables. Spectral data were automatically compared against specialized libraries using the OPUS software’s standard search and dedicated mixture analysis algorithms. Pure substance identification used single-spectrum matching, while complex samples underwent composite spectrum deconvolution.

Instrumentation Used

• ALPHA II-P FT-IR spectrometer with diamond ATR unit
• OPUS TOUCH software with standard search and mixture analysis modules
• TICTAC ATR-FTIR Drug Library (500+ spectra of emerging drugs and legal highs)
• ATR-FTIR Forensics Library (10,000+ spectra across diverse substance classes)
• IP65 certified touch-PC interface

Main Results and Discussion

• Pure Drug Verification: Mephedrone spectrum matched library reference with a hit quality of 967/1000, confirming a high-purity sample.
• Laced Cocaine Hydrochloride: Mixture analysis revealed major cocaine HCl with benzocaine as a cutting agent. Composite and residual spectra showed minimal residual peaks, indicating a near-perfect deconvolution.
• Crack Analysis: A street crack sample contained freebase cocaine adulterated with anaesthesin and phenacetin. Residual spectrum analysis confirmed the presence and relative contributions of these common cutting agents.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• No sample preparation or chemical reagents required, reducing analysis time and cost.
• Rapid identification and quantification of drug mixtures support on-site forensic checks and emergency medical interventions.
• User-friendly interface enables non-experts to perform routine screenings in field or laboratory environments.
• Extensive spectral libraries ensure detection of both regulated narcotics and novel psychoactive substances.

Future Trends and Applications

• Expansion of spectral libraries to include emerging synthetic drugs and cutting agents.
• Integration of AI-driven algorithms for enhanced pattern recognition and predictive identification.
• Miniaturization and increased portability of ATR-FTIR devices for rapid roadside or mass-screening applications.
• Combining ATR-FTIR data with complementary techniques (e.g., Raman spectroscopy, mass spectrometry) for comprehensive forensic workflows.

Conclusion

The ALPHA II Drug Identifier, leveraging ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and advanced library matching, provides an efficient, accurate, and user-friendly solution for detecting pure and laced drugs. Its rapid analysis capability and minimal operational requirements make it a valuable asset in forensic, clinical, and law enforcement contexts.