Determination of delta13 CV-PDB and delta15NAIR values of cocaine from a big seizure in Germany by stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry.
In this study, delta(13)C(V- PDB) and delta(15)N(AIR) values of 132 cocaine samples from a big seizure in Germany in 2002 were determined using elemental analyser isotope ratio mass spectrometry. The 1.2 tons of cocaine were packed in 1 kg packages and the cocaine bricks inside these packages showed certain logos. Twenty different logos could be identified. Results show a large variability among some samples, for delta(15)N(AIR) values ranging from-17 to -2 per thousand. Furthermore, the possibility of linking samples with the same logo was checked. The results show that, in general, there is no relationship between the determined isotope ratio and a certain logo.
Sewenig
Sabine
S
BKA - Bundeskriminalamt, Forensic Science Institute (KT 12), Wiesbaden, Germany. sabine.sewenig@bka.bund.de
Fichtner
Sylvia
S
Holdermann
Thomas
T
Fritschi
Giselher
G
Neumann
Helmut
H
D002138:Calibration; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D003042:Cocaine / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification / Q000600:supply & distribution; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control; D005858:Germany; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification / Q000600:supply & distribution; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D009587:Nitrogen Isotopes; D003042:Cocaine