ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 5

Solid-Phase Extraction for Profiling of Ecstasy Tablets
Rashed, AM
candidate in forensic toxicology and senior lecturer in forensic medicine (toxicology), University of Glasgow,

King, LA
Drug Intelligence Unit Manager, Metropolitan Laboratory, The Forensic Science Services, UK

Anderson, RA
candidate in forensic toxicology and senior lecturer in forensic medicine (toxicology), University of Glasgow,

(Received 8 March 1999; accepted 21 June 1999)

Abstract

A solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure has been developed for impurity profiling of illicit tablets containing 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methyl-amphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy). Following initial comparison of liquid-liuqid extraction and solid-phase extraction, SPE was found to be preferable because it afforded higher extraction efficiencies and shorter extraction times. Procedure blank samples were also analyzed to identify constituents of the extracts which did not originate in the ecstasy tablets. The developed procedure was subsequently applied to 12 samples of seized ecstasy tablets and a comparison was made of these samples to determine similarities and obtain inferences with respect to commonality of origin.

Keywords:
forensic science, solid-phase extraction, ecstasy, profiling, impurities

Paper ID: JFS14696J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14696J
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