Contaminants in Illicit Amphetamine Preparations

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Abstract
Samples from illicit preparations of amphetamine and methamphetamine were investigated by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to detect and identify contaminants, excipients, and by-products from manufacture. In addition, these samples were subjected to energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and it was determined that the preparations of these compounds were made in the present of zinc, probably as a reductant. In addition to identifying polycondensation products from these preparations, the illicit origin of amphetamine-type drugs can generally be determined by the detection of contaminants and by-products present in submitted samples. Thus, a multidisciplinary analytical approach yields data of potential value for comparative examinations and possibly for legal purposes.

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