Investigation of illicit heroin seized in Malaysia: physical characteristics and chemical profiling

The high number of illicit heroin cases in Malaysia has led to the local forensic laboratory profiling of the physical and chemical characteristics of 311 street samples submitted as heroin cases in 2010. Visual examination and physical characteristics of the heroin substance and plastic packages are described. The preferred ranges of the weight of substances per package and the dimensions of the plastic package/receptacle are defined. Analysis of eight major components (three adulterants and five opium alkaloids) is also detailed. It was found that most samples contained less than 10% heroin base and more than 80% caffeine. Physical and chemical data together provide a quick overview of the samples seized within the country. Principal component analysis of the five major opium alkaloids present in the seized samples suggested that there were at least two sources responsible for the samples analyzed.