1. Forensic Chemistry Peter T. Ausili
Forensic Chemist, Drug Enforcement Administration
North Central Laboratory
(Presented to September 19, 2006)

2. The following presentation does not reflect the comments
and/or opinions of the Drug Enforcement Administration or the U.S. Department of Justice.

3. usajobs.gov

4. Forensic: Application of Science to Assist Legal Decisions

5. Rules of engagement: You must ask questions – or I will
I am not here to lecture about drugs-unfortunately, I can’t avoid the subject completely
Learn something and have FUN

6. Introduction
Chemistry
Legal Issues
Capacities
Bicarb ?
Pharmacology-Drug action
Miscellaneous
About DEA

7. CHEMISTRY
Responsibility:
Analysis and identification of ALL CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
Identify all substances greater than 1%
Determine Salt, Isomer and Purity as appropriate
Identify Adulterants and Diluents

8. Preliminary Screening Confirmation:
Chemical Analysis:
Sampling plan ?
Preliminary Screening
Confirmation:
GC/MS
FTIR
NMR
LC, LCMS
CE, CD-ORD
Purity

9. Production Capacity Legal Why analyze Sodium Bicarbonate?
Clandestine Laboratories
Theoritical Yield
Substance containing vs. actual
Why analyze Sodium Bicarbonate?
Sentencing commission guidelines
(Cure for insomnia)

10. Pharmacology Why do people use drugs
Effects mimic natural chemicals in the body
Similar chemical structure act on the same receptor sites---with effects of different intensity and duration

11. KHAT (Catha Edulis)
Cathine
Cathinone

12. Background
Primarily cultivated in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula
Legal throughout most of Europe and Africa
Used since antiquity as a recreational and religious drug
Used by Alexander the Great
First historical reference in early 14th century
Important to the economies of Somalia, Yemen, Kenya and Ethiopia
More than 37 tons seized in the US in (EPIC)

13. Legal Status - Cathinone- Schedule I Final Action 2/93
- Produces a euphoric effect similar to amphetamine in that
it stimulates the Central nervous system
- Begins to degrade 48 hours after harvesting
- Proper handling can prolong potency
- Cathine- Schedule IV Final action 6/88
Produces a much less stimulant effect that cathinone

14. Structural Similarities
Cathinone - I
Cathine - IV
Natural breakdown

15. Structural Similarities
Cathinone
Cathine
Amphetamine
Methamphetamine

16. Pharmacological Similarities
Cathine
Pseudoephedrine
Adrenaline

17. Laboratory Concerns Handling and preservation of samples in the field
Storage space in the laboratory
Analysis-preservation-judicial integrity
Since cathinone is labile (likely to undergo chemical change) the preservation of the sample after analysis is critical.

18. Historical Commentary
KHAT is used in relatively poor regions, where the frequent lack of food encourages deficiency diseases. Consequently, in view of its stimulating effect, it is often not unnaturally regarded as a divine blessing. For populations with relatively few sources of distraction it constitutes a simple and convenient form of escapism.
Since khat is regarded as an excitant and stimulant like coffee, tea and the like, it is generally not considered prohibited by Koranic law and consequently there is no moral objection in Moslem countries against its abuse.
- Bulletin on Narcotics, 1956 .

19. Web sites
Lycaeum
Erowid

20. References
PIHKAL
TIHKAL

21. Court
As experts, we are not advocates we can only seek scientific truth
Unusual cases
Ayahuasca > DMT

22. Drug mixtures Synergistic effects MDMA MDA Caffeine Lidocaine Procaine
Diphenhydramine
Dimethylsulfone

23. About DEA We are responsible for only 1 law
Eight Chemical Analysis Labs
One Computer Forensics Lab
200 Chemists/6000 Agents
North Central Lab covers 13 States

24. Spectrum 33
4-Methoxyamphetamine
(PMA) M. W. 165

25. Spectrum 34
4-Methoxymethamphetamine
(PMMA) M. W. 179