Cocaine profiling for strategic intelligence purposes, a cross-border project between France and Switzerland Part I. Optimisation and harmonisation of the profiling method

• Published in: Forensic science international Vol. 167; no. 2-3; pp. 220 - 228
• Main Authors: LOCICIRO, S, HAYOZ, P, ESSEIVA, P, DUJOURDY, L, BESACIER, F, MARGOT, P
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier 11.04.2007; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Chromatography; Cocaine; Forensic medicine; Forensic sciences; General aspects; Intelligence; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Laboratories; Law enforcement; Medical sciences; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Standard deviation; Statistical methods; Studies; France; Switzerland; Europe; Alkaloid stability; Criminalistics; Intelligence; Methodology; Psychotropic; Conservation; Cutting agents; Forensic aspect; Derivatisation agent; Ester; Cutting; Alkaloid; Drug of abuse; GC-FID; Drug; Stability; Forensic science; CNS stimulant; Illicit drug; Legal medicine; Method; Local anesthetic; Project; Drug profiling; Storage; Storage conditions; Cocaine; Technique; Border; Physicochemical properties
• ISSN: 0379-0738; 1872-6283
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2006.06.052

Optimisation and harmonisation of analytical and statistical methodology have been carried out between two forensic laboratories (Lausanne, CH and Lyon, F) in order to provide drug intelligence for cross-border cocaine seizures. The aim was to improve the gas chromatographic analysis of cocaine samples for profiling. Some important validation parameters were tested to verify the developed method and demonstrate its profiling capacity: the selectivity of the method with retention time reproducibility, the choice of a derivatisation agent improving the chromatography (MSTFA, BSA, TMSI and BSTFA+TMCS 1%), the cutting agents influence (matrix effect), the influence of the sample storage conditions and the sample quantity to weigh for analyses. Eight main alkaloids, which represent the sample signature, have been selected: ecgonine methyl ester, ecgonine, tropacocaine, benzoylecgonine, norcocaine, cis- and trans-cinnamoylcocaine and 3,4,5-trimethoxycocaine. Their stability in the solvent used (CHCl(3)/pyridine) was demonstrated. In order to reach the final objective, which is the comparison of samples seized and analyzed in two different laboratories, the harmonisation of the profiling method between the two laboratories had to be ensured and is the subject of ongoing research.