Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy of illicit drugs

Fourier transform (FT) Raman spectroscopy was investigated as a means of characterizing pure amphetamine sulphate, cocaine hydrochloride, heroin and diluted (‘cut’) samples of these drugs at drug concentrations down to 5%. The pure compounds give spectra that are excellent for rapid identification, as do samples cut with sorbitol. Some cutting agents are fluorescent, however, and identification then presents difficulties. The major advantage of FT Raman spectroscopy over other techniques for the testing of illicit drugs is that no sample preparation is needed. The test is very fast (3 min), and after examination the sample can be completely recovered in the same form as that in which it was received, so that it can, if required, be submitted to other test procedures.