ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 14

A Rapid Gas Chromatographic Method for the Fingerprinting of Illicit Cocaine Samples
Racamy, C
Research assistant, Government Laboratory of Public Health, Willizmsladt,

Ensing, JG
University Centre for Pharmacy, University of Groningen,

de Zeeuw, RA
Professor of toxicology, University Centre for Pharmacy, University of Groningen,

(Received 2 February 1991; accepted 29 August 1991)

Abstract

A gas chromatographic (GC) fingerprint method, based on the presence or absence of six congeners, was developed for illicit cocaine samples. The fingerprint utilizes the relative abundances of these congeners towards each other, disregarding cocaine as the main constituent, and can be expressed numerically or graphically in the form of pictograms for rapid visual comparison. The method can be applied directly to a solution of the sample in chloroform, without previous workup procedures. More than 70 unrelated samples were analyzed and a great variation was observed in the parameter composition. On the other hand, a remarkable similarity could be seen between related samples. The GC fingerprint method may be considered an important contribution for sample comparison, as is exemplified by a subdivision of the analyzed samples in different categories, based on the number and types of congeners found.

Keywords:
toxicology, cocaine, chromatographic analysis, cocaine congeners, fingerprints, sample comparison, gas chromatography, drug trafficking

Paper ID: JFS13254J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13254J
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