Photo 3

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- INTELLIGENCE ALERT -

PRESUMED TRICHOCEREUS PERUVIANUS CACTUS (CONTAINING MESCALINE)
IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

Photo 6

The DEA Southwest Laboratory (Vista, California) recently received a tall jar containing three different exhibits of unknown plant materials, suspected to contain controlled substances (see Photo 6). The first exhibit consisted of black dried plant material (total net mass 33.8 grams) in a plastic bag that was labelled as “Trichocereus Peruvianus, dry green flesh” (Trichocereus peruvianus is described on the Internet as a mescaline-containing cactus). The second exhibit consisted of loose, large green chunks of dried plant material (total net mass 160.9 grams) in a glass jar, and the third consisted of a yellowish powder (total net mass 27.1 grams) in a plastic bag. The exhibits were seized in conjunction with an indoor marijuana grow in San Diego County. A 3 gram sample of each exhibit was submitted to standard acid/base workup; analyses of the resulting extracts by GC and GC/MS confirmed mescaline in the green chunks and in the yellowish powder, and identified trace mesacaline in the black dried material labelled as “dry green flesh” (quantitations not performed). The actual identities of the plant materials were not confirmed. These are the first submissions of this type to the Southwest Laboratory.

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- INTELLIGENCE ALERT -

MIXED COCAINE AND COCAINE MIMIC PACKAGES IN LAREDO, TEXAS

Photo 7

The DEA South Central Laboratory (Dallas, Texas) recently received 11 samples of white powder, suspected cocaine. The samples were selected from a total of 48 brick-sized bundles, that had been seized by Customs and Border Protection personnel in Laredo, Texas from the rear tires of a vehicle crossing the border from Mexico. The bundles were wrapped in carbon paper, grease, and cellophane, and came in two distinct sizes (see Photo 7), with the smaller packages being about half the thickness of the larger packages, but all weighing about 1 kilogram each. Preliminary screening indicated that only the larger bundles contained cocaine, and so the entire seizure was submitted for analysis. Analysis of the material in 32 larger bundles (total net mass 32.13 kilograms) by IR/ATR, GC/FID, and GC/MS confirmed 81 percent cocaine hydrochloride. Analysis of the material in 15 smaller bundles (total net mass 15.37 kilograms) by IR/ATR and GC/MS indicated no controlled substance (the material was tentatively identified as calcium sulfate). [The results of analysis for the 48th bundle was not reported.] While large seizures of cocaine HCl bricks are not uncommon, this submission was unusual in that it contained cocaine brick mimics.

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- INTELLIGENCE ALERT -

RECTANGULAR HEROIN PELLETS IN MIAMI, FLORIDA

Photo 8

The DEA Southeast Laboratory (Miami, Florida) recently received 140 unusual rectangular, plastic and latex wrapped pellets containing a compressed, off white powder, suspected heroin (see Photo 8). The exhibits were seized by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol personnel from within a wooden crate that had arrived from Medellin, Colombia. Analysis of the powder (total net mass 2,990 grams) by GC/MS and FTIR confirmed 93 percent heroin hydrochloride. This is believed to be the first submission of rectangular pellets to the Southeast Laboratory. Because the pellets had been removed from the crate before submission to the laboratory, it is unknown whether the pellets were rectangular as a result of being forced into an enclosed space, or were prepared in that shape for some other reason.

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- INTELLIGENCE BRIEF -

SALVIA DIVINORUM IN MORAGA, CALIFORNIA

The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Crime Laboratory (Martinez, California) recently received one bag of seeds and two bags of green plant material, the latter both submitted as suspected marijuana (however, one of the bags was labeled “Salvia Divinorum 10x”) (photos not available). The exhibits were seized in Moraga (Contra Costa County) by the Moraga Police Department, pursuant to a burglary investigation. It was determined that the plant material in the bag labeled as “Salvia Divinorum 10x” (total net mass less than three grams) was not marijuana. Analysis of a methanolic extract of a sample of the material by GC/MS gave no data; however, analysis of a boiling chloroform extract by GC/MS presumptively identified Salvinorin A, the primary hallucinogen in Salvia divinorum (not quantitated). The second bag in this case was not labelled and was found to contain no controlled substances. The seeds in the third bag were not identified. This was the first submission of Salvia divinorum to the laboratory.

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- INTELLIGENCE BRIEF -

The Pasadena Police Department Regional Crime Laboratory (Pasadena, Texas) recently received two samples of cocaine hydrochloride from the Deer Park (Texas) Police Department that contained diltiazem (Pasadena and Deer Park are located just east of Houston). The samples were analyzed using GC/MS and FTIR analysis, and diltiazem was confirmed via comparison with a pharmaceutical standard.

[Editor’s Note: For comprehensive analytical data for diltiazem, see: Peters DE. Diltiazem HCl: An analytical profile. Microgram Journal 2004;2(1-4):11.]

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SELECTED REFERENCES

[Selected references are a compilation of recent publications of presumed interest to forensic chemists. Unless otherwise stated, all listed citations are published in English. Listed mailing address information (which is sometimes cryptic or incomplete) exactly duplicates that provided by the abstracting services. Patents are reported only by their Chemical Abstracts citation number.]

1. Casale JF, Ehleringer JR, Morello DR, Lott MJ. Isotopic fractionation of carbon and nitrogen during the illicit processing of cocaine and heroin in South America. Journal of Forensic Sciences 2005;50(6):1315. [Editor’s Notes: Presents an in-depth study of the title topic. Contact: DEA Special Testing and Research Laboratory, 22624 Dulles Summit Ct., Dulles, VA 20166.]

2. Casale JF, Toske SG, Colley VL. Alkaloid content of the seeds from Erythroxylum coca v. coca. Journal of Forensic Sciences 2005;50(6):1402. [Editor’s Notes: Presents the title topic. The seeds were acquired from plants in the Chapare Valley of Bolivia. 11 alkaloids were determined using GC/MS and LC/MS. Contact: DEA Special Testing and Research Laboratory, 22624 Dulles Summit Ct., Dulles, VA 20166.]

3. Chen Z, Wang Y, Zhao Y, An J, Qi T. Analysis of mixed drugs of abuse by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry. Zhongguo Yaowu Yilaixing Zazhi 2005;14(1):68. [Editor’s Notes: Listed drugs include “amphetamines”, morphine, ketamine, pethidine, diazepam, caffeine, cocaine, chlorpheniramine, and phenacetin. This article is written in Chinese. Contact: School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Peop. Rep. China.]

4. Dong YM, Chen XF, Chen YL, Chen XG, Hu ZD. Separation and determination of pseudoephedrine, dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine in cold medicines by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis 2005;39(1-2):285. [Editor’s Notes: The title technique was applied to five cold medications. Contact: Lanzhou Univ., Dept. Chem., Lanzhou 730000, Peoples R. China.]

5. Gimeno P, Besacier F, Botex M, Dujordy L, Chaudron-Thozet H. A study of impurities in intermediates and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) samples produced via reductive amination routes. Forensic Science International 2005;155(2-3):141. [Editor’s Notes: An extensive study of the title topic. Contact: Laboratoire de Police Scientifique de Lyon, 31 Avenue Franklin Roosevelt, Ecully 69134, Fr.]

6. Grossman SI, Campbell JG, Loane CJ. Apparatus for detection of drugs in a beverage. (Patent (for detection of GHB and ketamine)) Chem. Abstr. 2005:998813.

7. Hazekamp A, Peltenburg A, Verpoorte R, Giroud C. Chromatographic and spectroscopic data of cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa L. Journal of Liquid Chromatography & Related Technologies 2005;28(15):2361. [Editor’s Notes: 16 different cannabinoids were determined using UV, IR, GC/MS, and spectrophotometry. The fluorescent properties of cannabinoids are also presented. Contact: Leiden Univ., Inst. Biol., Div Pharmacognosy, Einsteinweg 55, NL-2300 RA Leiden, Netherlands.]

8. Hays PA. Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (NMR) methods for determining the purity of reference drug standards and illicit forensic drug seizures. Journal of Forensic Sciences 2005;50(6):1342. [Editor’s Notes: Presents an in-depth study of the title topic. Contact: DEA Special Testing and Research Laboratory, 22624 Dulles Summit Ct., Dulles, VA 20166.]

9. Jia J, Wang Y, Chen Z, Zhao Y, An J. Determination of ketamine by TLCS. Shanxi Yike Daxue Xuebao 2005;36(1):69. [Editor’s Notes: A TLC-Scanning methodology method is presented for the separation and detection of ketamine, morphine, and heroin. Primary focus appears to be biological. This article is written in Chinese. Contact: School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Peop. Rep. China.]

10. Kikura-Hanajiri R, Hayashi M, Saisho K, Goda Y. Simultaneous determination of nineteen hallucinogenic tryptamines/beta-carbolines and phenethylamines using gas chromatography - mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography - electrospray ionisation - mass spectrometry. Journal of Chromatography B - Analytical Technologies in the Biomedical and Life Sciences 2005;825(1):29. [Editor’s Notes: 19 different compounds were determined in 123 products acquired in Japan. Contact: Natl. Inst. Hlth. Sci., Setagaya Ku, 1-18-1 Kamiyoga, Tokyo 1588501, Japan.]

11. Lewis LD. Method of disposing of hazardous wastes connected with criminal activity. (Patent) Chem. Abstr. 2005:1132386.

12. McDermott SD, Power JD. Drug smuggling using clothing impregnated with cocaine. Journal of Forensic Sciences 2005;50(6):1423. [Editor’s Notes: Presents the title case study, including recovery and quant data. Contact: Forensic Science Laboratory, Garda HQ, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8, Ireland.]

13. Mudiam MR, Kumar SA, Mahadevan S, Ghosh P, Sarin RK, Beedu SR. Quantitative evaluation of 28 mineral elements by inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometry and its application in source identification of Indian opium. Journal of AOAC International 2005;88(5):1469. [Editor’s Notes: Presents the title study. The results suggest that opium from different regions within India cannot be discriminated, but that it can be differentiated from opium from other regions of the world. Contact: University College of Science, Department of Biochemistry, Osmania University, Hyderabad 500 007, India.]

14. Muller IB, Windberg CN. Validation of an HPLC method for quantitation of MDMA in tablets. Journal of Chromatographic Science 2005;43(8):434. [Editor’s Notes: Presents the title study, using isocratic, reversed-phase HPLC. Contact: Department of Forensic Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2100, Den.]

15. Ryder AG. Surface enhanced Raman scattering for narcotics detection and applications to chemical biology. Current Opinion in Chemical Biology 2005;9(5):489. [Editor’s Notes: Discusses the use of SERS in various scenarios, including low level detection of (unspecified in abstract) narcotics. Contact: Department of Chemistry, and National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science, National University of Ireland - Galway, Galway, Ire.]

16. Smith F, Siegel J, Eds. Handbook of Forensic Drug Analysis. Elsevier: New York, NY: 2005.

17. Swist M, Wilamowski J, Parczewski A. Basic and neutral route specific impurities in MDMA prepared by different synthesis methods. Forensic Science International 2005;155(2-3):100. [Editor’s Notes: Presents the title study (impurity profiles determined by GC/MS). Contact: Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Ingardena 3, Krakow 30-060, Pol.]

18. Tsumura Y, Mitome T, Kimoto S. False positives and false negatives with a cocaine - specific field test and modification of test protocol to reduce false decision. Forensic Science International 2005;155(2-3):158. [Editor’s Notes: An overview of the Scott test. Includes a new protocol for differentiating “crack” cocaine from 5-MeO-DIPT (“Foxy”). Contact: Narcotics Controlo Department, Government of Japan, Kinki Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare, 4-1-76, Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka 540-0008, Japan.]

19. Vande Casteele SR. LC-MS/MS in the elucidation of an isomer of the recreational drug methylenedioxyethylamphetamine: Methylenedioxydimethylamphetamine. Journal of Separation Science 2005;28:1729. [No Abstract or Contact Information provided.]

20. Witkowski MR. The use of Raman spectroscopy in the detection of counterfeit and adulterated pharmaceutical products. American Pharmaceutical Review 2005;8(1):56. [Editor’s Notes: Also discusses the application of FTIR and polarized light microscopy for this purpose. Contact: FDA Forensic Chemistry Center, USA (no further addressing information was provided).]

21. Yotoriyama M, Ishiharajima E, Kato Y, Nagato A, Sekita S, Watanabe K, Yamamoto I. Identification and determination of cannabinoids in both commercially available and cannabis oils stored long term. Journal of Health Science 2005;51(4):483. [Editor’s Notes: The oils were obtained from Cannabis sativa L. THC, CBD, CBN, and cannabichromene were determined using HPTLC and GC/MS. Contact: Tochigi Prefect. Inst. Public Health Environ., Tochigi, Japan 329-1196.]

22. Zheng YF, Yamout KA, Berger DE, Hu MW, Liu H-T. Assays for amphetamine and methamphetamine using stereospecific reagents. (Patent) Chem. Abstr. 2005:300636.

Additional References of Possible Interest:

1. Al Najjar AO. Enhancement of sensitivity in capillary electrophoresis: Forensic and pharmaceutical applications. Diss. Abstr. Int. B 2005;66(1):246. [Editor’s Notes: Abstract not provided. Contact: Ohio Univ., Athens, OH (zip code not provided).]

2. Bishop SC. Advanced capillary electrophoretic techniques for the detection of date-rape and club drugs for a forensic setting. Diss. Abstr. Int. B 2005;66(1):258. [Editor’s Notes: Abstract not provided. Contact: Ohio Univ., Athens, OH (zip code not provided).]

3. Botonjic E. Forensic and biological applications of vibrational spectroscopy. Diss. Abstr. Int. B 2005;66(1):257. [Editor’s Notes: Abstract not provided. Contact: Univ. of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI (zip code not provided).]

4. Brenner JC. Forensic Science: An Illustrated Dictionary. CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL: 2004.

5. Koppenaal DW, Barinaga CJ, Denton MB, Sperline RP, Hieftje GM, Schilling GD, Andrade FJ, Barnes, IV JH. MS detectors. Analytical Chemistry 2005;77(21):418A. [Editor’s Notes: An overview of the current state of the field. Contact: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352.]

6. Lachenmeier DW. Analysis and toxicological evaluation of cannabinoids in hemp food products - A review. Electronic Journal of Environmental, Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2005;4(1):812. [No Abstract or Contact Information provided.]

7. Nieuwland AA. Applications of chromatography, spectroscopy, and capillary electrophoresis to the analysis of forensic samples. Diss. Abstr. Int. B 2005;65(12):6355. [Editor’s Notes: Abstract not provided. Contact: Univ. of South Carolina, Colombia, SC (zip code not provided).]

8. Potts PJ, Ellis AT, Kregsamer P, Streli C, Vanhoof C, West M, Wobrauschek P. Atomic spectrometry update. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry 2005;20(10):1124. [Editor’s Notes: A review of the title topic; includes (unspecified) forensic applications. Contact: Faculty of Science, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keyes MK7 6AA.]

9. Wirtshafter DE. Ten years of a modern hemp industry. Journal of Industrial Hemp 2004;9(1):9. [No Abstract or Contact Information provided.]

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THE DEA FY - 2006 STATE AND LOCAL
FORENSIC CHEMISTS SEMINAR SCHEDULE

The remaining FY - 2006 schedule for the DEA’s State and Local Forensic Chemists Seminar is as follows:

Note that the school is open only to forensic chemists working for law enforcement agencies, and is intended for chemists who have completed their agency’s internal training program and have also been working on the bench for at least one year. There is no tuition charge for this course. The course is held at the AmeriSuites Hotel in Sterling, Virginia (near the Washington/Dulles International Airport). A copy of the application form is reproduced on the last page of the August 2004 issue of Microgram Bulletin. Completed applications should be mailed to the Special Testing and Research Laboratory (Attention: Pam Smith or Jennifer Kerlavage) at: 22624 Dulles Summit Court, Dulles, VA 20166. For additional information, call 703/668-3337.

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Computer Corner Computer Forensic Examination Workstations

#201 by Steve Carter, Group Supervisor DEA Digital Evidence Laboratory

[Editor’s Preface: This issue of “Computer Corner” marks the start of the third era of columnists. “Computer Corner” was initiated by Senior Forensic Chemist Chuck Harper at DEA’s Special Testing and Research Laboratory. Chuck wrote the first 120 issues, focusing on basic aspects of computer operations - that is, the “nuts and bolts” of how computers work. In April of 1999, “Computer Corner” was picked up by Group Supervisor (later Laboratory Director) Mike Phelan, who changed the focus to (first) Computer Forensics and then to the broader field of Digital Evidence. Last month’s issue was Mike’s last - but not the end of “Computer Corner” or its current focus on Digital Evidence. “Computer Corner” will now be written by the staff at DEA’s Digital Evidence Laboratory.

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An examination workstation should contain the necessary items that will allow an examiner to perform a complete computer forensic examination. DEA provides workstations containing a comprehensive array of components (detailed below) to each computer forensic examiner. The current, estimated costs for these components are also detailed below.

Setup: