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Provenancing of drugs based on their elemental composition determined by Neutron Activation Analysis - Feasibility Study
Kučera, Jan ; Kameník, Jan ; Sabol, J. ; Šesták, B. ; Kolář, P. ; Roman, M.
We analyzed five samples of heroine and five samples of cocaine seized in the Czech Repulic using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). In the heroine speciments, we determined 16 trace elements in at least one of the samples analyzed, in the cocaine speciment, 9 trace elements could be determined. We have found remarkable differences, up to several orders of magnitude, in contents of the elements Na, Cl, Zna and Br, especially in the heroine samples. The accuracy of INAA results was proved by simultaneous analysis of a certified reference material NIST SRM 1547 Peach Leaves. The results of trace element determination in heroine samples are compard with those published by autors from abroad. The results obtained show a high potential of INAA for the drug elemental characteriaztion aimed at determination of their provenance, procedures used for their manufacturing and purification and cutting for the end users. The results achieved also suggest that it is desirable to analyze more samples with the final aim of establishing a database of elemental composition of drugs seized in the Czech Republic, which could possibly be extended later, in cooperation with foreign drug abuse and police bodies, at the international level.
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