title: Raman identification of drug of abuse particles collected with colored and transparent tapes.
abstract: Raman microscopy is a useful tool for the analysis of drug particles collected with adhesive tapes. In this work, first, the spectra of thirty drugs of abuse, degradation products, metabolites, and common cutting agent standards were recorded and the Raman bands observed were summarized providing the forensic analyst useful information for the identification of drug evidence. Then, the collection of different drug particles by a fingerprint lifting tape commonly used to remove and store fingerprints and fibers, and a white and green packaging tape, followed by the subsequent identification of the drugs by confocal Raman spectroscopy was performed. The particles were analyzed on top of the tapes, trapped between glass slides and the tapes, trapped in the tape folded over itself in the case of the transparent tape, and after folding and unfolding the tape in the case of the colored tape. The results obtained by the different approaches show that both tapes did not compromise the drugs spectra. However, the use of transparent tape is preferred because this tape allows the previous visual detection of the particles. Finally, several drug and sugar particles were spread over a clean table and inside a pocket, and the particles were collected with transparent tape and then properly identified. Although good results were obtained in both cases, the amount of fibers and other substances present in the collection area made the previous detection of the particles difficult and increases the analysis time.
authors.affiliation: Criminalistic Service of the Guardia Civil, C/Guzmán el Bueno 110, 28003 Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: aquivic@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Victor Molina
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, and Chemical Engineering, Multipurpose Building of Chemistry, University of Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona, Km. 33.600, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; University Institute of Research in Police Sciences, Multipurpose Building of Chemistry, University of Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona, Km. 33.600, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: m.lopezl@uah.es.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: López-López
authors.affiliation: Criminalistic Service of the Guardia Civil, C/Guzmán el Bueno 110, 28003 Madrid, Spain; University Institute of Research in Police Sciences, Multipurpose Building of Chemistry, University of Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona, Km. 33.600, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: catoche@guardiacivil.es.
authors.forename: Juan-Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Atoche
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, and Chemical Engineering, Multipurpose Building of Chemistry, University of Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona, Km. 33.600, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; University Institute of Research in Police Sciences, Multipurpose Building of Chemistry, University of Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona, Km. 33.600, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: carmen.gruiz@uah.es.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: García-Ruiz
keywords: Drug analysis; Drugs of abuse; Lift; Raman spectroscopy; Sample collection; Tape