A Study of Procedures for the Identification of Heroin

For forensic purposes, it is essential for the chemist to identify drugs correctly. The method or combination of methods chosen must be able to differentiate the drug present from all other compounds, regardless of structural similarities. The proper choice of method can be achieved only with a thorough understanding of the limitations and specificity of each analytical technique available to the chemist. Virtually no literature is available on the specificity of the many procedures used for the identification of heroin (diacetylmorphine). Indeed, it has been shown [1] that even pyramiding certain analytical tests may not be adequate.