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Published by the Drug Enforcement Administration
Office of Forensic Sciences Washington, D.C. 20537
The U. S. Attorney
General has determined that the publication of this periodical is
necessary in the transaction of the public business required by the
Department of Justice. Information, instructions, and disclaimers
are published in the January issues.
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VOL. XXXVI, NO. 4 April 2003
|
- INTELLIGENCE ALERT -
ROLL OF PARTIALLY BURNED CURRENCY INCLUDED IN
"ICE"
METHAMPHETAMINE SEIZED IN NOGALES, ARIZONA
 |
|
Photo 1
|
The DEA
Southwest Laboratory (Vista, California) recently received an
interesting submission consisting of two exhibits of "ICE"
methamphetamine and a roll of partially burned U.S. currency (see
Photo 1, at right). The evidence was seized by the United States
Custom Service in Nogales, Arizona, during a routine vehicle stop.
The three packages varied in size, each was wrapped in gray duct
tape and clear plastic, and none had any special markings. All three
were initially suspected to contain methamphetamine. When opened for
analysis, the two larger packages were in fact found to contain a
combined net mass of 1,914 grams of an off-white, crystal-like
substance, which was confirmed to be 99 percent d-methamphetamine
HCl (commonly referred to as "ICE"). The smallest package, however,
a softball sized package that was about one third the size of the
other two packages, was found to contain $4,980.00 in U.S. currency,
most of which was partially burnt (see Photo 2).
The currency included various denomination bills ($20, $50, and
$100). U.S. currency is seldom encountered by the Southwest
Laboratory, and partially burnt currency in a drug seizure is quite
unusual.
 |
|
Photo 2
|
* * * * *
- INTELLIGENCE ALERT -
HASHISH SMUGGLED INSIDE SPOOLS OF THREAD
IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
The DEA South Central Laboratory (Dallas, Texas) recently received a
package containing four spools of white thread containing packages
of suspected hashish. The package was seized by the United States
Custom Service in Memphis, Tennessee, after X-ray analysis indicated
an anomalous mass under the threading of each spool. [However, there
was no apparent deformation of the threading on the spools.] The
exhibits were submitted to the laboratory after a controlled
delivery in Picayune, Mississippi. Disassembly of each spool
revealed a rectangular strip, packaged in brown tape, which had been
wrapped around the spool cannister, then covered with tightly wound
thread (see Photos 3 and 4).
Analysis by microscopic examination, Modified Duquenois-Levine, and
GC/MS confirmed hashish, combined net mass 387.9 grams. The THC
content was not quantitated. This is believed to be the first
exhibit of this type ever submitted to the South Central Laboratory.
* * * * *
- INTELLIGENCE ALERT -
HEROIN IN SUITCASE WHEELS AT JFK AIRPORT, NEW
YORK
 |
|
Photo 5
|
The DEA
Northeast Laboratory (New York, New York) recently received an
exhibit consisting of twelve black suitcase wheels containing
suspected heroin (see two of these wheels in Photo 5 to the right).
The wheels were seized by the United States Custom Service at JFK
Airport, New York, after being removed from a suitcase from a
passenger arriving on a flight from Colombia. Each wheel contained a
black plastic bag, which contained chunks of light brown powder,
combined net mass 795.5 grams. Analysis by GC-FID, FT-IR, and GC-MSD
confirmed 89 percent heroin HCl. Over the past few years, the
Northeast Laboratory has received a wide variety of exhibits seized
by Customs agents at JFK Airport, including luggage handles, shoes,
suitcase liners, clothing, etc., in which heroin had been concealed.
* * * * *
- INTELLIGENCE ALERT -
L/V LOGO TABLETS CONTAINING COCAINE AND
METHORPHAN
IN SPARTANBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA
 |
|
Photo 6
|
The DEA
Southeast Laboratory (Miami, Florida) recently received an exhibit
consisting of 42 greenish blue tablets, 8 millimeters in diameter,
with a logo apparently consisting of an L over a V (or a V over an
L) (possibly a trademark for the designer Louis Vuitton), suspected
Ecstasy (see Photo 6). The tablets, net mass 6.7
grams, were seized in Spartanburg, South Carolina by the DEA
Greenville (South Carolina) Resident Office Enforcement Group.
Analysis by GC/FID and GC/MS, however, indicated not MDMA but rather
a mixture of cocaine (1.3 milligrams per tablet, salt form not
determined) and methorphan (not quantitated, isomer and salt form
not determined). This is the laboratory's first encounter with these
type tablets.
* * * * *
- INTELLIGENCE ALERT -
LSD MICROTABLETS IN OWATONNA, MINNESOTA
 |
|
Photo 7
|
The Minnesota
Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Forensic Science Laboratory (St.
Paul, Minnesota) received a submission of a brownie, Rice Krispie(r)
bar, and two very small, brown, round biconvex tablets. All three
exhibits were seized by the Owatonna Police Department; the brownie
and Rice Krispie(r) bar were submitted as containing marijuana, and
the tablets as containing LSD. Examination of the brownie and Rice
Krispie(r) bar (photos not available) by microscope revealed no
visual plant material. However, analysis by Duquenois-Levine and
GC/MS confirmed the presence of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC);
quantitation not performed. The tablets (see Photo 7, right) were
2.5 millimeters in diameter by 1 millimeter thick, and had no
markings. Analysis by color testing with
para-dimethyl-aminobenzaldehyde (DMAB) / HCl and by GC/MS confirmed
lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD); quantitation not performed. This
was the laboratory's first encounter with LSD microtablets.
* * * * *
- INTELLIGENCE ALERT -
APPLE LOGO TABLETS CONTAINING PIPERONAL AND
TRACE MDMA
IN STRASBOURG, FRANCE
 |
|
Photo 8
|
 |
|
Photo 9
|
The French Customs laboratories in Strasbourg and Paris, France
recently analyzed a submission of 1,685 tablets being smuggled from
The Netherlands, suspected Ecstasy. The seizure was made by the
French Customs Service on the eastern French border. The submission
included tablets of two different types: Blue tablets with a "smiley
face" logo and a single score on the opposite face (7.1 x 4.2
millimeters, approximately 200 milligrams each, see Photo 8, right
top); and white tablets with an "apple" logo, unscored (9.0 x 3.4
millimeters, approximately 300 milligrams each, see Photo 9, right
bottom). [The total number of blue versus white tablets was not
determined.] Analysis by GC/FID, GC/MS, FTIR, and HPLC confirmed
that the blue tablets contained 68 milligrams of MDMA/tablet.
However, the white tablets contained primarily piperonal with less
than one percent MDMA. The white tablets were also very
heterogeneous: In four analyzed tablets, the piperonal content
varied from 36 to 76 milligrams/tablet. The laboratory concludes
that the white tablets likely resulted from an incorrect clandestine
synthesis. Piperonal is a hazardous and irritant chemical. This was
the laboratories' first encounter with "piperonal tablets".
* * * * *
Selected Intelligence Brief
The "Dirty" and Dangerous Side Effects of
Synthetic Drugs Production
Europol
Synthetic Drugs Unit
Raamweg 47
PO Box 90850
2509 LW The Hague
Netherlands
(202) 307-8726
[Unclassified; Reprinted With Permission]
Part 1: "By-Products - Chemical Waste"
 In
recent years the production of synthetic drugs such as ecstasy,
amphetamine and other amphetamine type stimulants has dramatically
increased. Although the number of illicit laboratories discovered in
the European Union has stabilised, the professionalism and
production capacity of such sites has increased significantly, not
only for the production of synthetic drugs but also in the
production of precursors and reductors. A synthetic drug is the end
product of a chemical process, as indicated by the word "synthesis"
meaning: A reaction between two or more chemicals. Synthetic drugs
are therefore chemical products dependent the required chemicals for
their production or the availability of such chemicals.
Legitimate chemical processes are undertaken in specially created
environments, such as chemical factories, using highly sophisticated
equipment, pure chemicals and the necessary chemical knowledge
where, even then, chemical waste will be an unavoidable by product.
During the illicit production of synthetic drugs huge amounts of
waste will result. According to expert estimations, the production
of 1 kg amphetamine or ecstasy will, depending on the production
method used, result in 5 to 20 litres of waste (i.e. the Leuckart
synthesis produces more waste than reductive amination).
Furthermore, during specific steps of the production process,
certain amounts of solvents will vaporise and thereby pollute the
atmosphere.
Chemical waste is a combination of the chemicals used, the
by-products and the end products. As more than 200 different
chemicals can be used in synthetic drug production, the resultant
waste will vary significantly in terms of content and hazardous
properties such as flammability, explosiveness, toxicity,
corrosiveness, oxidation, carcinogens and others.
The "quality" of the waste will differ, depending on the following
circumstances:
The production processes used.
The quality of the chemicals and equipment used.
The knowledge and relative efficiency of the (illicit)
chemist and his methods.
The chemical mixture ratio; i.e. if excess chemical is added
to a process, the surplus will be converted into chemical waste
which must be removed.
The mixture of different waste products; i.e. individual
production steps result in different waste which might be mixed and
stored together.
 In
most cases analysed, the chemical waste content exists of one or
more of the following chemicals: acetone, ether, methanol,
iso-propanol, toluene formamide, caustic soda, ammonia, sulphuric
acid, hydrochloric acid, residues of benzylmethylketone,
piperonylmethyl-ketone, iso-safrol, etc.
Such ‘illicit' chemical waste is often stored in old jerry cans,
barrels and other means of storage without proper safety labels and
warnings. The uncontrolled existence of such chemical ‘cocktails'
poses great danger to the environment, the public and law
enforcement.
It is clear that, in the dismantling of synthetic drugs laboratories
and the associated collection of evidence, including sampling, such
hazards necessitate the adoption of extreme precautions and safety
measures.
* * * * *
Part 2: "Methods of Dumping"
In the first article "The dirty and dangerous side effects of
synthetic drugs production – part 1 by products - chemical waste" an
overview is given on the amount and kind of waste which results from
the production of synthetic drugs. If we focus on the consumer
market demand, with millions of tablets consumed each week, it is
clear that the scale of illicit production of synthetic drugs must
be enormous. Such large-scale production not only results in
millions of tablets but also in huge amounts of chemical waste.
The waste is a combination of the chemicals used, the by-products
and the end products. Waste will vary significantly in terms of
content and hazardous properties such as flammability,
explosiveness, toxicity, corrosiveness, oxidation, carcinogens and
others. If such waste is "produced" by legitimate companies, the
disposal of the waste will be very expensive and is, in most
countries, under tight national and international legislative
control. Permits are necessary for storage, transport and disposal.
Such control measures have one significant objective: the safety of
the environment and the public.
Producers of synthetic drugs do so for the sole purpose of making
money. They do not want to spend their profit on the safe disposal
of chemical waste. Another reason is the inherent risk of being
caught by law enforcement. They are spending significant amounts of
money on the purchase of precursors, chemicals and production
equipment such as tabletting machines, reaction vessels etc.
Producers do actually also use equipment that is normally used in
connection with environmental protection but in these cases their
reason is still for financial savings. E.g. the use of distillation
machines (see below and Europol Drugs Intelligence Bulletin no.1).
Distillation machines are generally used in industry for cleaning
used solvents, thereby decreasing the amount of chemical waste and
the inevitable cost or waste disposal plus enabling the re-use of
expensive chemicals. Producers of synthetic drugs are using these
machines solely to facilitate the re-use of the cleaned expensive
chemicals. The remaining resultant part of the cleaning process, the
removed impurities, will be dumped illegally.
Another related example is the use of carbon filters that are
normally used to clean the air of chemical gases such as those from
solvents. If used by criminals in synthetic drug production the
purpose will also be to purify the air but not for the safety of the
environment and public but to prevent discovery of the site via the
detection of chemical gasses. The Carbon filter will also be dumped
after use.
There are several known methods of dumping chemical waste. Most of
the below mentioned methods are carried out during the night in
rural or abandoned areas. However, there are known cases in which
the chemical waste was dumped in industrial areas and in one case in
the middle of a large city near a school.
 1.
Dumping of Closed Drums and Jerry Cans with Misleading Labels /
Warnings.
In almost all cases the criminals use the jerry cans and barrels
which were originally used for the transport and storage of the
necessary production chemicals. In some cases labels and warning
were found on the jerry cans and barrels. However, in none of these
cases did the content correspond to the labels. In such cases never
rely on the labels / warnings or absence of them. Labels should
however be collected as evidence.
* * * * *
 2.
Emptying drums and jerry cans directly onto the soil.
Criminals dump the jerry cans or drums in rural and abandoned areas,
but in this scenario they will open the jerry cans or drums before
dumping their contents. The result will be significant soil and air
pollution, depending on the contents of the jerry cans. There is
also the risk of explosion. One of the reasons for the use of this
method is that criminals want to prevent law enforcement officers
and forensic experts from taking samples of the waste for analysis
and/or profiling.
* * * * *
3. Emptying Drums and Jerry Cans into Rivers, Canals and Ditches.
Contents of jerry cans and drums are also poured into rivers, canals
and ditches. In these cases the chemical waste will be mixed with
the surface water and will be transported over a long distance,
spreading the pollution.
* * * * *
 4.
Leaving Large Amounts of Filled Jerry Cans and Drums in Stolen
Vehicles.
Stolen vans are used for the storage, transport and disposal of the
chemical waste. In these cases vans are stolen during the night
hours, mostly from industrial sites. The vehicle is loaded with
jerry cans, drums and in some cases gas cylinders and then driven to
another area and abandoned. If the stolen van is discovered, the
chemical content must be removed by a specialist chemical company,
costing the original owner a lot of money. In most cases the cost of
removal of the chemicals will not be covered by their vehicle
insurance.
* * * * *
5. Setting Fire to Stolen Vans Loaded with Chemical Waste / Gas
Cylinders
 Large
amounts of full jerry cans, drums and sometimes also hydrogen gas
cylinders are loaded into stolen vans which are driven to abandoned
areas and set on fire. This method is becoming more common. In the
Netherlands, in 1999, the Unit for Synthetic Drugs (USD) recorded 16
stolen vans, which were set on fire, of which 14 exploded. A burning
vehicle with the unknown element of such a ‘chemical bomb' creates
great dangers for law enforcement officers and investigating
firemen.
* * * * *
6. Disposal of Chemical Waste from a Moving Van.
In this case, witnesses observed a van driving several times along
the same road. Local residents detected the odour of acetone and
alerted the police. After investigation, two drums were found, each
containing 250 litres of chemical waste from synthetic drug
production. With the use of a compressor, connected to the car
cigarette lighter, chemical waste was disposed from the vehicle via
a PVC pipe.
* * * * *
7. Burying Full Drums and Jerry Cans in the Soil.
 There
is also the method of burying jerry cans or drums. In some minor
cases buried jerry cans were found, containing chemical waste from
the production of synthetic drugs. In a wood, criminals removed the
top layer of the soil, dumped the jerry cans into the hole and
covered them with soil. This is not a frequently used method due to
the fact other methods are easier and burying waste takes times,
thereby increasing the chance of detection.
* * * * *
8. Pumping Chemical Waste into the (Local) Sewerage System.
 Chemical
waste is also drained into the sewerage system. One of the simplest
ways is via the use of the lavatory or the bath. In some cases
criminals have connected the production process to the sewerage
system, with the use of PVC pipes. As long as they dispose of
relatively small amounts of diluted chemical waste and the distance
to the water purification plant is long enough, they are unlikely to
be detected.
* * * * *
SELECTED REFERENCES
[Note:
Selected references are a compilation of recent publications of
presumed interest to forensic chemists. Unless otherwise stated, all
listed citations are published in English. If available, the email
address for the primary author is provided as the contact
information. Listed mailing address information (which is sometimes
cryptic or incomplete) exactly duplicates that listed by the
abstracting services.]
1. Zakaria
P, Macka M, Haddad PR. Separation of opiate alkaloids by
electrokinetic chromatography with sulfated cyclodextrin as a
pseudo-stationary phase. Journal of Chromatography A
2003;985(1-2):493. [Editor's Notes: Presents an EKC method for
separation of morphine, thebaine, 10-hydroxythebaine, codeine,
oripavine, and laudanine. Contact: Haddad PR, Univ Tasmania, Sch
Chem, Australian Ctr Res Separat Sci, GPO Box 252- 75, Hobart, Tas
7001, Australia.]
2. Chew SL,
Meyers JA. Identification and quantitation of gamma-hydroxybutyrate
(NaGHB) by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Journal of
Forensic Sciences 2003;48(2):292. [Editor's Notes: Presents an NMR
technique for identification and quantitation of GHB. The
identification of GBL by NMR is also presented. Contact:
jmeyers150@aol.com]
3. Miller
Coyle H, Shutler G, Abrams S, Hanniman J, Neylon S, Ladd C,
Palmbach T, Lee HC. A simple DNA extraction method for
marijuana samples used in amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)
analysis. Journal of Forensic Sciences 2002;48(2):343.
[Editor's Notes: Presents an AFLP technique for creating a DNA
profile for different plant varieties. Contact: c4ensic@yahoo.com]
4. Simonsen
KW, Kaa E, Nielsen E, Rollman D. Narcotics at street level in
Denmark. A prospective investigation from 1995 to 2000.
Forensic Science International 2003;131(2- 3):162. [Editor's
Notes: Presents a survey of illicit drug seizures made in six
selected police districts in Denmark during the referenced time
frame. Contact: kirsten.wiese@forensic.ku.dk (KW
Simonsen).]
5. Dujourdy
L, Barbati G, Taroni F, Gueniat O, Esseiva P, Anglada F, Margot P.
Evaluation of links in heroin seizures. Forensic Science
International 2003;131(2-3):171. [Editor's Notes: Presents a
mathematical means for comparing chromatograms for degree of
similarity, without using decision thresholds. Contact:
laurence.dujourdy@ipsc.unil.ch]
6. Stubbs
DD, Lee S-H, Hunt WD. Cocaine detection using surface acoustic
wave immunoassay sensors. Proceedings of the IEEE
International Frequency Control Symposium & PDA Exhibition, New
Orleans, LA, United States, May 29-31, 2002, 289-298. [Editor's
Notes: Presents a study of real-time, vapor-phase detection of
cocaine using a specialized SAW device. Contact: School of
Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology,
Atlanta, GA (no zip code was provided).]
7. Halamek
J, Makower A, Skladal P, Scheller FW. Highly sensitive
detection of cocaine using a piezoelectric immunosensor.
Biosensors & Bioelectronics 2002;17(11-12):1045. [Editor's Notes:
Presents a rugged, highly sensitive competitive immunoassay-based
piezoelectric sensor for cocaine. Contact: Institute of Molecular
Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Analytical
Biochemistry, University of Potsdam, 14476 Golm, Germany.]
8. Carter
JF, Titterton EL, Grant H, Sleeman R. Isotopic changes during
the synthesis of amphetamines. Chemical Communications
2002;21:2590. [Editor's Notes: Presents a study of the variations
in C-13 and N-15 during various syntheses of amphetamine. The
authors claim that isotopic characterization can assist in
identifying the synthetic origins of illicit MDMA and other
amphetamines. Contact: Organic and Biological Section, School of
Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK BS8 1TS.]
9. Cole MD,
Lea C, Oxley N. 4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B): A
review of the public domain literature. Science & Justice
2002;42(4):223. [Editor's Notes: Presents an overview of the title
compound, including a minor review of the available literature.
Contact: Dept of Forensic Science and Chemistry, Anglia
Polytechnic University, East Road, Cambridge CB1 1PT, United
Kingdom.]
10. Chen
HL, Chen XG, Pu QS, Hu ZD, Zhao ZF, Hooper M. Separation and
determination of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine by combination of
flow injection with capillary electrophoresis. Journal of
Chromatographic Science 2003;41(1):1. [Editor's Notes: No abstract
was provided. Contact: Chen XG, Lanzhou Univ, Dept Chem, Lanzhou
730000, Peoples R China.]
11.
Laasonen M, Harmia-Pulkkinen T, Simard C, Rasanen M, Vuorela H.
Development and validation of a near-infrared method for the
quantitation of caffeine in intact single tablets. Analytical
Chemistry 2003;75(4):754. [Editor's Notes: Presents a technique
for analyzing pharmaceutical products containing primarily
caffeine. The authors claim that the NIR technique is as accurate
and faster than the reference HPLC method. Contact:
heikki.vuorela@helsinki.fi]
12. Garcia
A, Ruperez FJ, Marin A, delaMaza A, Barbas C.
Poly(ethyleneglycol) column for the determination of
acetaminophen, phenylephrine and chlorpheniramine in
pharmaceutical formulations. Journal of Chromatography B -
Analytical Technologies in the Biomedical and Life Sciences
2003;785(2):237. [Editor's Notes: Presents a rapid, isocratic HPLC
method for determination of the three title compounds in cold
medications. UV detection at 215 nm and 310 nm was used. Contact:
Barbas C, Univ S Pablo, Fac CC Expt & Salud, CEU Urbaniz
Monteprincipe, Ctra Boadilla Monte, Km 5, Madrid 28668 3, Spain.]
13. Jacobs
JL, Martinez FS, Skinner HF. Extraction of reaction by-products
of common cold tablet ingredients via hydriodic acid reduction.
Journal of the Clandestine Laboratory Investigating Chemists
Association 2003;13(1):13. [Editor's Notes: Presents a study of
the HI/red P reduction of a variety of co-ingredients found in
ephedrine or pseudoephedrine based cold tablets. Contact: Drug
Enforcement Administration, Southwest Laboratory, 410 W. 35th St.,
National City, CA 91950.]
14.
Courtney M, Ekis TR. O, dem bones. Systematic analysis
of remnants from "Nazi" methamphetamine laboratories. Journal
of the Clandestine Laboratory Investigating Chemists Association
2003;13(1):17. [Editor's Notes: Presents a systematic approach to
analyzing the reaction dregs recovered from Birch reduction
laboratories, for the purpose of identifying the original
reactants, extraction solvents, and products. Contact: Forensic
Consultant Services, P.O. Box 11668, Fort Worth, TX 76110.]
15.
Blaszczyk P, Hernik H, Ehrmann R. Salvinorin A (Salvinoryna A).
Problemy Kryminalistyk 2002;237:48. [Editor's Notes: Presents a
GC/MS method for analysis of Salvia Divinorum. Language not
specified (may be in Polish). Contact: No contact information was
provided.]
16.
Sokolowska-Jablonska Z. Indoor cultivation of cannabis (Uprawa
konopi w pomieszczeniach zamknietych). Problemy Kryminalistyk
2002;237:48. [Editor's Notes: Presents a general review of illicit
indoor cultivation of marijuana, based on reports from the United
Kingdom and the Netherlands. Language not specified (may be in
Polish). Contact: No contact information was provided.]
17. Hemmer
R, Wilson R. Methamphetamine and illegal drug manufacture
detector. U.S. Pat. Appl. Publ. US 20030020618 A1 30 Jan 2003,
10 pp. (English). CLASS: ICM: G08B017-10. NCL: 340632000;
340539000. APPLICATION: US 2002-127162 15 Apr 2002. PRIORITY: US
2001-PV283595 13 Apr 2001; US 2001-PV316309 29 Aug 2001. [Editor's
Notes: Presents a system for detecting volatile organic compounds
in apartments, hotel rooms, etc., that are suggestive of illicit
drug manufacture. Contact: No contact information was provided.]
Additional References of Possible Interest:
1. Passie
T, Seifert J, Schneider U, Emrich HM. The pharmacology of
psilocybin. Addict Biol 2002;7:357. [Editor's Notes: Presents
a review of the pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of psilocybin.
Contact: Medical School Hannover, Dept. of Clinical Psychiatry and
Psychotherapy, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, D-30625 Hannover, Germany.]
2. Ramos
MD, Teixeira LHP, Neto FRD, Barreiro EJ, Rodriguez CR, Fraga CAM.
Chiral separation of gamma-butyrolactone derivatives by gas
chromatography on 2,3-di-O-methyl-
6-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-beta-cyclodextrin. Journal of
Chromatography A 2003;985(1- 2):321. [Editor's Notes: Presents the
chiral separation of various 2-alkyl-2-keto-gamma- butyrolactone
derivatives. Contact: Ramos MD, Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Inst Quim,
LADETEC, Ctr Tecnol, Bloco A, Sala 607, BR-21949900 Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil.]
3. Clare
BW. QSAR of benzene derivatives: Comparison of classical
descriptors, quantum theoretic paramaters and flip regression,
exemplified by phenylalkylamine hallucinogens. Journal of
Computer-Aided Molecular Design 2002;16(8-9):611. [Editor's Notes:
Presents a theoretical modeling approach and evaluation of the
hallucinogenic phenalkylamines. Contact: Clare BW, Univ Western
Australia, Dept Chem, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009,
Australia.]
4. Tanaka
S, Iio R, Chinaka S, Takayama N, Hayakawa K. Analysis of
reaction products of morphine and codeine with high-performance
liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Analytical Sciences
2003;19(1):163. [Editor's Notes: The focus was on changes due to
hydrogen peroxide present in hair dyes and decolorant treatments.
Contact: Forensic Science Laboratory, Ishikawa Prefectural Police
Headquarters, Kanazawa 920-8553, Japan.]
5.
Goeringer KE, McIntyre IM, Drummer OH. LC-MS analysis of
serotonergic drugs. Journal of Analytical Toxicology
2003;27(1):30. [Editor's Notes: Presents an LC/MS technique for
the identification of 10 antidepressant and 2 antipsychotic drugs
(not specified in the abstract). Contact: Victorian Institute of
Forensic Medicine and Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash
University, Southbank 3006, Australia.]
6. Tao QF,
Zeng S. Analysis of enantiomers of chiral phenethylamine drugs
by capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/flame ionization
detection and pre-column chiral derivatization. Journal of
Biochemical and Biophysical Methods 2002;54(1-3):103. [Editor's
Notes: Includes analysis of amphetamine, methamphetamine,
fenfluramine, and others. The application focus is the analysis of
biological fluids. Contact: China, College of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Zhejiang
University, Hangzhou, PR 310031, USA (Additional Note: This
address would appear to be in the People's Republic of China, but
the listed address duplicates what was provided in the abstract).]
7. Kamimura
H. The fearful abuse of law-evading drugs. Mycotoxins
2002;52(2):129. [Editor's Notes: A minor review and discussion of
the title topic. Contact: Tokyo Metropolitan Research Laboratory
of Public Health, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan 169-0073.]
8.
Sensabaugh GF, Gaensslen RE. Model standards for forensic
science graduate program evaluation. Journal of Forensic
Sciences 2003;48(2):460. [Editor's Notes: Presents the
recommendations of a national Technical Working Group on forensic
science education and training. Contact: GF Sensabaugh, Forensic
Science Group, School of Public Health, University of California
at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA (no zip code was provided).]
9. Dale WM,
Becker WS. Strategy for staffing forensic scientists.
Journal of Forensic Sciences 2003;48(2):465. [Editor's Notes:
Presents a conversational overview of the difficulties faced by
public forensic laboratories in finding and retaining technical
staff. Contact: WM Dale, NYPD Laboratory, 150-14 Jamaica Avenue,
Jamaica, NY 11432.]
10. AnoCody
JT, Valtier S. Differentiation of the 2,3-methylenedioxy
regioisomer of 3,4-MDMA (Ecstasy) by gas chromatography-mass
spectrometry. Journal of Analytical Toxicology 2002;26(7):537.
[Editor's Notes: Presents a methodology for differentiating the
regioisomers of MDMA by GC/MS; primary application is for analysis
of biological fluids. Contact: AMEDD C&S, MCCS-HMP, Houston, TX
78234.]
11. Fang C,
Liu J-T, Lin C-H. Determination of lysergic acid diethylamide
(LSD) by application of online 77K fluorescence spectroscopy and a
sweeping technique in micellar electrokinetic chromatography.
Talanta 2002;58(4):691. Presents the development and use of the
title technique for the ultra-sensitive detection of LSD in
urine.]
12. Gartsev
NA, Semeikin NP, Sharshin YA, Pomozov VV, Trushkov VN, Alekseev
NP, Galev AV, Semin GK. Device for detection of explosives and
narcotics. RU 2190842 C1 10 Oct 2002. CLASS: ICM: G01N024-00.
APPLICATION: RU 2001-118733 9 Jul 2001. [Editor's Notes: Presents
a detection device based upon nuclear quadruple resonance
(Additional Note: "Quadruple" may be an incorrect translation of
quadrupole; unclear). This patent is written in Russian. Contact:
No contact information was provided.]
* * * * *
THE DEA FY - 2003 STATE AND LOCAL
FORENSIC CHEMISTS SEMINAR SCHEDULE
The remainder
of the FY - 2003 schedule for the DEA's State and Local Forensic
Chemists Seminar is as follows:
June 9 –
13, 2003
September 15 – 19, 2003
Note that the
school is open only to forensic chemists working for law enforcement
agencies, and is intended for chemists who have completed their
agency's internal training program and have also been working on the
bench for at least one year. There is no tuition charge for this
course. The course is held in Northern Virginia, near the
Washington/Dulles International Airport. For additional information,
eligibility requirements, or to enroll, see the September 2002 issue
of Microgram Bulletin, or call 703 668-3337.
* * * * *
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
1. Johnson County Sheriff's Office
Criminalistics Laboratory (2 Positions) (Second Posting)
Position 1: DNA Technical
Leader/ Forensic Chemist
Location: Mission, Kansas (Kansas City metropolitan
area)
Salary: $50,564.80 to $72,280.00 per year
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Duties: This position will serve
as the laboratory's DNA Technical Leader and section coordinator.
The major duties of this position include overseeing the technical
operations of the Biology Section to ensure compliance with the
American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory
Accreditation Board Standards (ASCLD/LAB) as well as the Quality
Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories standards.
In addition, this position will have some casework responsibility;
including evaluating the nature, origin and significance of physical
evidence both in the laboratory and at crime scenes; performing
physical, chemical, biochemical and genetic analysis of biological
material associated with evidence using DNA analysis methods;
maintaining laboratory records, preparing written technical reports
of analysis, and providing effective expert testimony in courts of
law. This position will oversee the training of laboratory examiners
and the evaluation and implementation of new scientific techniques
for the DNA section of the laboratory. The successful applicant will
also be a commissioned Deputy Sheriff.
General Requirements: Candidates
must meet the educational and experience requirements for a DNA
Technical Leader as published in Section 5.2 of the Quality
Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories (U.S.
Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 07/15/98).
These guidelines are available on-line at:
http://www.cstl.nist.gov/biotech/strbase/dabqas.htm
Candidates without a Master's degree must already possess a waiver
of the degree requirements as provided in section 5.2.1.1 of the
above standards. The successful candidate must also meet the minimum
qualifications of a Deputy Sheriff.
The applicant will be required to successfully
complete the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center curriculum.
Also, the applicant will be required to successfully complete a
laboratory training program in biology and a qualifying test before
beginning independent casework responsibilities.
----------
Position 2: Firearms and Tool
Mark Examiner
Location: Mission, Kansas (Kansas City metropolitan
area)
Salary: $50,564.80 to $72,280.00 per year
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Duties: The major duties include
examining firearms for function; comparison with bullets and
cartridge cases; serial number restoration; GSR examination of
clothing associated with firearm cases; and tool mark examinations.
Other duties may be assigned based upon the qualifications of the
successful applicant. The successful applicant will become a
commissioned Deputy Sheriff and will be required to complete the
Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center curriculum. Also, the
successful applicant will be required to successfully complete a
qualifying test before beginning independent casework
responsibilities.
General Requirements: A minimum
of three years of experience in firearm and tool mark examination.
Experience must include the completion of a two-year, full-time
training program under the direction of an experienced firearms and
tool mark examiner. In addition, the successful candidate must have
a least one-year of experience doing independent casework
examination and being qualified as an expert witness in a court of
law in the area of firearms and tool mark examination. Experience
with the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN)
and familiarity with the Association of Firearms and Tool Mark
Examiners' (AFTE) Guidelines and the American Society of Crime
Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board's (ASCLD/LAB)
Standards is desired. Applicants must also meet the minimum
qualifications of a Deputy Sheriff.
----------
Application Procedures for both
Positions: Applications can be obtained by contacting the
Sheriff's Department Personnel Division at the following address.
Johnson County Sheriff's Department, Personnel
and Training, 125 N. Cherry, Olathe, KS 66061; Phone: (913) 791-5511
(or Toll Free at: (866) 262-3744).
Additional Information about this position can be
obtained from Director L. Keith Kerr at the Crime Laboratory by
calling: (913) 826-3209.
The Johnson County Sheriff's Department does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex,
religion, age, or disabled status in employment or the provision of
programs and services.
* * * * *
2. Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
(Second Posting)
Position: Senior Criminalist,
Drug Analysis
Location: Lawton, Oklahoma
Salary: $46,250 per year
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Duties: Plan and perform
advanced scientific and technical analysis of physical evidence in
criminal cases, report on, and testify in court as expert witness.
Successful applicants for OSBI Criminalist are required to become
certified law enforcement officers in the state of Oklahoma, and are
therefore required to satisfy related requirements, including a
psychological examination. Applicants must possess the ability and
willingness to perform job-related travel; willingness to carry and
use deadly force, or less than lethal force, as required. Applicants
must be willing and able to be called back to work at irregular
times during the evenings and on weekends, willing to transfer where
needed and to accept assignments anywhere in the state.
Minimum Requirements: A
baccalaureate degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Criminalistics,
Forensic Science, or a closely related field and three years or more
of experience as a laboratory criminalist. Preference is given to
those applicants whose coursework includes General Chemistry,
Organic Chemistry, and Analytical Chemistry. The required experience
must be in the analysis and identification of controlled dangerous
substances (drugs) and marijuana, and/or in the analysis and
identification of controlled substances (drugs) and alcohol in human
blood, all using GC and GC/MS instrumental analysis.
Application Procedures:
Application Procedure: Send resume and photocopy of all transcripts
(certified copies are not required) to:
Phyllis Decker, HR Management Specialist
OSBI Human Resources Section
6600 North Harvey
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
Fax: (405) 842-0675
E-mail:
phyllisd@osbi.state.ok.us
EEO
* * * * *
SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS
1. Title:
Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Sciences (MAAFS) Annual Meeting
(First Posting)
Sponsoring Organization: Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic
Sciences
Inclusive Dates: May 5 - 9, 2003
Location: Annapolis, MD (Sheraton Barcelo)
Meeting Registration Procedure, Deadline, and Costs: [See
website]
Recommended Lodging (Registration Deadline and Costs): [See
website]
Contact Individual's Name, Phone Number, and email Address:
[See website]
Website: [www.maafs.org/annualmeeting.htm]
* * * * *
2. Title:
Annual New England Seminar in Forensic Sciences (First Posting)
Sponsoring Organization: Colby College, Special Programs
Inclusive Dates: August 10 - 14, 2003
Location: Colby College, Waterville, ME
Meeting Registration Procedure, Deadline, and Costs: [See
website]
Recommended Lodging (Registration Deadline and Costs): [See
website]
Contact Individual's Name, Phone Number, and email Address:
Jesse Davis, 207/872-3386 (FAX -3383),
summer@colby.edu
Website: [www.colby.edu/spec.prog/cme.html]
* * * * *
3. Title:
3rd European Academy of Forensic Science Triennial Meeting
(First Bimonthly Posting)
Sponsoring Organization: European Academy of Forensic Science
Inclusive Dates: September 22 - 27, 2003
Location: Instanbul, Turkey (Instanbul Convention Centre)
Meeting Registration Procedure, Deadline, and Costs: [See
website]
Recommended Lodging (Registration Deadline and Costs): [See
website]
Contact Individual's Name, Phone Number, and email Address:
[No Contact Name Provided, +90 212 287-5800 (FAX 263-4581,
eafs2003@enfsi.org]
Website: [www.eafs2003.enfsi.org]
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
THE JOURNAL/TEXTBOOK COLLECTION EXCHANGE
FREE TO ANY SUBSCRIBER
1)
Microgram Archives - Final Offer
In mid-2002,
the Office of Forensic Sciences completed a comprehensive
reorganization and inventory of its entire Microgram archive 1967 –
2002. As a result, several thousand excess monthly issues, dating
back to 1971, were identified. These issues were first offered in
the September 2002 issue of Microgram Bulletin, with
the specification that they were intended to fill "holes" in
existing collections (not to create new, partial collections), and
over 500 issues were requested in that spirit. The remaining issues
are now available to any current Microgram subscribing office
that has a law enforcement affiliation (all issues 1967 to
2002 were and remain law enforcement restricted). The Office also
has several dozen "bound" (2 year) issues, and these are available
to libraries only at this time.
All issues
are now available on a first come/first serve basis, including to
those who wish to create a "best possible" partial collection. Note
that there are many gaps in the available archive (including many
entire years), and only a very few available copies for other
issues. It is therefore quite unlikely that any request can be
completely satisfied. Also note that the condition of the available
issues vary from "mint" to only "fair".
Requests
should be emailed to the Microgram Editor at:
microgram_editor@mailsnare.net Requests should include
complete mailing address information. Note that the entire remaining
collection will eventually be destroyed, so interested subscribers
should respond as soon as possible. [Note: Postage will be covered
by the DEA Office of Forensic Sciences.]
2)
Journal of Chemical Information and Computer Sciences Collection
- Final Offer
The
following, partial collection of the journal Journal of Chemical
Information and Computer Sciences is offered free of charge to
any subscriber who wants it, on an all-or-nothing basis (i.e., no
"cherry picking" of single issues). Note that the focus of this
journal is primarily theoretical in nature (i.e., it is not an
analytical journal). Libraries will be given preference. If
interested, please contact the Editor at: microgram_editor@mailsnare.net
[Note: Postage will be covered by the DEA Office of Forensic
Sciences.]
Journal of Chemical Information and Computer Sciences - 1995
- 1999 (missing 1995(6) and 1998(5)).
If there are
no responses, this collection will be discarded one month after the
hard copy of the April 2003 issue (this issue!) is mailed;
therefore, interested subscribers should contact the Editor as soon
as possible.
* * * * *
3) FBI
Crime Laboratory Digest
The following
issues of the FBI's Crime Laboratory Digest are offered to any
current Microgram subscribing office that has a law enforcement
affiliation (all issues are law enforcement restricted):
Year;Volume(Number)
1984;11(4)
1985;12(1)
1986;13(3) and (4)
1987;14(1), (2), (3), and (4)
1988;15(1) and (3)
1989;16(2)
1990;17(1)
1992;19(1) and (2)
1993;20(1), (2), and (4)
1994;21(4)
1995;22(4)
1996;23(2)
If
interested, contact the donor at: rparsons@ircc.edu
----------
Note that the
next offering of journals and textbooks will be in the July 2003
issue of Microgram Bulletin. Subscribers who are interested
in donating items or collections should consult the Microgram
website for instructions.
* * * * *
Special Request for 2003 Journals (from the Harrison Medical Library
/Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center)
Recently, a
large journal subscription vendor went bankrupt. Many libraries had
already paid for their 2003 journal subscriptions, but the vendor
had not paid the publishers before filing for bankruptcy. Due to
fiscal restraints and unfavorable budgetary timelines, most of the
libraries that were caught up in this situation will not be able to
reorder their journals.
We are
seeking to help these libraries get through this crisis. You can
help. If you subscribe to any 2003 journal, but do not retain your
issues after reading them, and are willing to donate them, please
let me know (contact info below). I will in turn offer these issues
to any libraries needing them. Thank you in advance for your help.
Tillie Horak
Library Information Specialist
Harrison Medical Library
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
4940 Eastern Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21224
Phone:
410/550-0678
FAX: 410/550-2465
email:
thorak@jhmi.edu
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
| Digital Evidence Laboratory
Accreditation |
by: Michael J. Phelan
DEA Special Testing and
Research Laboratory |
Effective
January 23, 2003 DEA elevated its forensic digital evidence
program to full laboratory status, establishing the Digital
Evidence Laboratory in Lorton, Virginia (about 20 miles south of
Washington, DC). The decision to create a separate laboratory
dedicated to digital evidence signified the increasing importance
of the program within DEA.
The
Trend
The concept of a Digital Evidence Laboratory is not new either
in law enforcement or in the private sector. Both the FBI and the
Department of Defense already have well established laboratories,
staffed by full time examiners who are highly experienced in the
examination of computers and similar electronic devices seized in
criminal cases. Computer forensics laboratories also exist within
the private sector; typically, however, these latter programs
process civil discovery tasks involving large amounts of corporate
computer data (for example, searches for pertinent documents
involved in tobacco, asbestos, or other product liability
lawsuits), or provide in- house examination support for
investigations involving computer security or computer or Internet
misuse. In a related endeavor, some private sector laboratories
specialize in highly technical data recovery from damaged hard
drives and other storage media. This latter specialization has
become increasingly important when essential data on hard drives
are intentionally or inadvertently damaged.
A Short
History
DEA has operated a formal digital evidence program since
October 1994. Initially, the function was assigned to DEA's
Engineering Section. A new Unit, designated "Computer Forensics",
was established within the Section, and was tasked with developing
the necessary protocols to recover, in a court admissible manner,
information of investigative value from the hard drives of seized
computers. DEA (correctly) surmised that such information could
greatly assist the identification of co- conspirators, trafficker
assets, and related information.
When first
started, the initial feeling within the Engineering Section was
that the already extensive diversity and complexity of computer
technology would make timely data recovery very challenging.
Despite these difficulties, however, the program was an immediate
success.
In June
1999, the Computer Forensics Unit was reassigned to the DEA Office
of Forensic Sciences, and then relocated to the Special Testing
and Research Laboratory (then located in McLean, Virginia). Six
years of successful operations by the Unit had proved that hard
drive data recovery was very valuable to drug investigations. The
reassignment to the Office of Forensic Sciences took the already
established engineering capability and supplemented it with basic
forensic science operational protocols, including evidence
handling and accountability, examiner proficiency testing, sub-
discipline accreditation, and method validation. The reassignment
was also made in anticipation that the prosecutors, defense
attorneys, and judges would expect the same level of proficiency
from Computer Forensics that they received from the other, more
established forensic sub-disciplines such as fingerprint
identification, drug analysis, or DNA testing.
By January
2003, the Computer Forensic Group of the DEA Special Testing and
Research Laboratory had grown to 17 personnel, and the program had
been relocated from McLean to Lorton because of its growing size.
DEA also recognized that the Digital Evidence program merited
greater organizational visibility commensurate with its
specialized role within DEA. In fact, the name of this new DEA
laboratory (Digital Evidence) symbolized the technical reality
that computers, the Internet, and digital communications are
rapidly converging, and also that a wide variety of digital
consumer electronic devices could and likely would be submitted as
evidence. The Digital Evidence Laboratory has therefore developed
examination protocols for both seized computers and also volatile
memory devices such as two- way pagers, satellite phones, personal
digital assistants, and GPS navigational devices.
Scope of
Operation
Unlike the DEA's other eight laboratories, which service
either a specific region of the United States or the DEA foreign
offices, the Digital Evidence Laboratory services all DEA offices,
both domestic and abroad.
Organizational Strategy
Continued examiner staffing shortages, and anticipated budget
constraints, will require DEA to maintain a centralized program
for the immediate future in order to maximize its limited
resources. In the longer term, distributing some digital evidence
analysis capability to the other DEA laboratories may be
considered in order to enhance field response times.
Centralized
operations have several advantages:
Technical Synergism
First, the consolidation of relatively scarce technical
personnel at one location allows for cooperation and synergism
among the laboratory examiner staff. This manifests itself in
several ways, such as group problem solving and cooperative
assistance in training new examiners.
Specialization
A second benefit of centralization is specialization. The
hiring and training of the examiner staff can be customized to
meet the technical demands of the parent organization. At DEA,
there is a heavy demand for examination of Windows-based
stand-alone computers, Windows NT- or 2000-based business servers,
SCO Unix-based systems hosting specialized pharmacy database
software, and consumer digital communication electronic devices.
Other organizations will likely have different specialization
requirements.
Cost
Savings
A third and very important advantage of centralization is cost
savings. DEA's Digital Evidence Laboratory shares many specialized
resources, thereby maximizing the utility of the personnel,
computer equipment, and software. For example, DEA operates a
single, dedicated computer to crack file passwords (usually a very
time- consuming task). Use of this specialized computer therefore
eliminates the need for the examiners to process password cracking
software on their examination computers, thereby freeing up the
latter computers to complete all of the other tasks required for a
typical examination in a more timely fashion. Similarly, only a
few portable computer systems are needed in order to handle
on-site hard drive duplication requests from the field.
Economy
of Scale
A fourth important benefit of centralization is its economy of
scale. Several expensive laboratory infrastructure components are
almost infinitely scaleable. For example, a properly designed
evidence vault can store 500 computers as easily as it can store
50 computers. A technical library can support 100 examiners as
easily as 10 examiners. An alarm system can protect a 10,000
square foot laboratory as easily as a 1,000 square foot facility.
Parallel
Evolution
The establishment of a Digital Evidence Laboratory by DEA
parallels the recent recognition by ASCLD/LAB of the digital
evidence sub-discipline (see Computer Corner #168 for more on
ASCLD/LAB accreditation of digital evidence programs). Member
laboratories can now have their digital evidence programs
inspected and accredited. Three specialty areas are now recognized
by ASCLD/LAB – Computer Forensics, Digital Audio Forensics, and
Digital Video Forensics.
The
Challenge
Laboratory managers need to assess if the time has come to
include a digital evidence section within their crime laboratory
system. Most law enforcement organizations already have such
programs, although only a small minority of these programs are
organized within these organizations' respective crime
laboratories. Most programs within criminal law enforcement
organizations are currently considered to be an investigative
methodology.
In the
private sector, computer forensic laboratories have evolved within
the corporate IT computer security sector, or as part of their
litigation support/audit staff. At present, in the private sector,
individual examiner qualifications and/or external certifications
are considered to be more important than program accreditation.
The high
standards required in judicial discovery will have a significant
future impact on how both government law enforcement agencies and
private sector computer forensic organizations manage their
digital evidence programs. One key component to success will be
how their programs are organized.
Questions
or comments:
E-mail: mphelan@erols.com
See Also
CCLE Entheogen and Drug Policy Project
CCLE Drug Law Library |
