Raman spectroscopy in forensic analysis: identification of cocaine and other illegal drugs of abuse

• Published in: Journal of Raman spectroscopy Vol. 47; no. 1; pp. 28 - 38
• Main Authors: de Oliveira Penido, Ciro Augusto Fernandes, Pacheco, Marcos Tadeu Tavares, Lednev, Igor K., Silveira Jr, Landulfo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bognor Regis Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.01.2016; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Cocaine; Drug abuse; Drugs; drugs of abuse; forensic applications; Forensic engineering; Forensic science; identification and quantification; Light scattering; Narcotics; Raman spectroscopy; Seizing; Spectrometers; Spectroscopy; Toxicology; Wavelengths

Current forensic methods for detecting and identifying cocaine and other drugs of abuse are destructive, so evidence cannot be re‐analyzed. Raman spectroscopy, based on inelastic light scattering, allows for rapid, inexpensive and nondestructive analysis in forensic science. This review presents the...