title: The use of δ13C isotope ratio mass spectrometry for methamphetamine profiling: comparison of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine-based samples to P2P-based samples.
abstract: Differentiating methamphetamine samples produced from ephedrine and pseudoephedrine from phenyl-2-propanone precursors is critical for assigning synthetic route information for methamphetamine profiling. The use of isotope ratio mass spectrometry data is now a key component for tracking precursor information. Recent carbon (δ(13)C) isotope results from the analysis of numerous methamphetamine samples show clear differentiation for ephedrine and pseudoephedrine-produced samples compared to P2P-produced samples. The carbon isotope differences were confirmed from synthetic route precursor studies.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Testing and Research Laboratory, 22624 Dulles Summit Court, Dulles, VA 20166, USA. Electronic address: steven.g.toske@usdoj.gov.
authors.forename: Steven G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Toske
authors.affiliation: U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Testing and Research Laboratory, 22624 Dulles Summit Court, Dulles, VA 20166, USA.
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Morello
authors.affiliation: U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Testing and Research Laboratory, 22624 Dulles Summit Court, Dulles, VA 20166, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.affiliation: U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Testing and Research Laboratory, 22624 Dulles Summit Court, Dulles, VA 20166, USA.
authors.forename: Etienne R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Vazquez
keywords: Ephedrine; Forensic science; Isotope ratio mass spectrometry; Methamphetamine profiling; Phenyl-2-propanone; Pseudoephedrine