title: Establishment of an operational system for drug profiling: a Swiss experience.
abstract: The present article describes the profiling process developed at the Institute of Forensic Science of the School of Crime Sciences of the Faculty of Law at the University of Lausanne. The technique is oriented towards an operational approach that can be applied directly by drug units of local law enforcement authorities. The background of the development of that technique and issues relating to data sources are outlined. Analytical, statistical and computerized methods for detecting, managing and visualizing linkages are examined in the context of drug profiling. Harmonization of methods and operational use of links are discussed and explained using examples. Finally, adequate communication of forensic information/intelligence is explored as an area of development. This endeavour has helped demonstrate the enormous potential that linking seizures made in different regional markets has for police investigations. The next stage is to focus on implementing this model in a more systematic manner and, if possible, at the national level and even the international level. That harmonization of methods should be pursued in order to maximize the potential of the detected linkages. In conclusion, links established through profiling, combined with traditional information, can be utilized to better understand the market's structure and implement medium- and long-term investigation strategies.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Forensic Science, Faculty of Law, School of Crime Sciences, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ioset
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Esseiva
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ribaux
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Weyermann
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Anglada
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lociciro
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hayoz
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Baer
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gasté
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Terrettaz-Zufferey
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Delaporte
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Margot
mesh_terms: D003042:Cocaine / Q000737:chemistry; D003132:Commerce / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D019992:Databases as Topic / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D004340:Drug Contamination / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D044707:Forensic Sciences / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000737:chemistry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D035846:Law Enforcement / Q000379:methods; D016495:Police; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D013557:Switzerland
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs; D003042:Cocaine