title: Isotopic profiling of seized benzylpiperazine and trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine tablets using δ13C and δ15N stable isotopes.
abstract: This paper demonstrates the use of isotopic analysis of 23 benzylpiperazine (BZP) and trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP) containing tablets seized on two independent occasions by the Northern Territory (NT) Police, Australia. Isolation (High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)) of BZP and TFMPP followed by Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) (carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes) analysis was performed. Results are presented for δ13C and δ15N values of the respective piperazine analogues. The isotopic data and statistical analysis suggest a common source of manufacture for the BZP samples but suggest different sources for the TFMPP isolated from the corresponding BZP containing tablets investigated. The use of IRMS in this case study demonstrated the ability to obtain information regarding the BZP/TFMPP sources unattainable via conventional chemical analysis.
authors.affiliation: School of Natural Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan campus, Queensland, Australia; Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast campus, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: n.beckett@griffithuni.edu.au.
authors.forename: Nicola M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Beckett
authors.affiliation: School of Natural Sciences, Griffith University, Nathan campus, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: s.cresswell@griffith.edu.au.
authors.forename: Sarah L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Cresswell
authors.affiliation: Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast campus, Queensland, Australia; School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast campus, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: d.grice@griffith.edu.au.
authors.forename: Darren I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Grice
authors.affiliation: Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, Coopers Plains, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: Jim_Carter@health.qld.gov.au.
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Carter
keywords: Benzylpiperazine; Designer drugs; IRMS; Isotopic profiling; Seized tablets; Trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine