CHAMP: Collaborative harmonisation of methods for profiling of amphetamine type stimulants

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 04.0005

Key words (English)

Forensic science; drug profiling

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: 502126

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 6. Frame Research Programme - 1.8.1 Policy-orientated research

Short description (English)

See abstract

Further information (English)

Full name of research-institution/enterprise:
Université de Lausanne
Institut de police scientifique (IPS)

Abstract (English)

The objectives of the proposed project include development of harmonised profiling methods for Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS) and a database with on-line access. This enables profiling of drug seizures without laborious transportation of samples between laboratories. Moreover, profiling can be carried out much more quickly (almost real time) than in a model based on a central laboratory. Development of minimum standards for identification of new ATS will as well be carried out, using the harmonised methods.
The project will mainly focus on two different types of ATS, namely methamphetamine and MDMA. Additionally 'new ATS' will be considered in the method development. Amphetamine is not included in this study since a harmonised profiling method is already available and routinely used. Profiling of ATS will be studied by using various techniques including external characteristics of the tablets, compositional analysis and impurity profiling. The compositional analysis includes both qualitative and quantitative determination of the active substance, diluents and adulterants. Some forensic laboratories already perform these analyses using 'in-house' methods. The most promising of these will be chosen and further optimised and harmonised within this project.
Studies on impurity profiling of ATS will be carried out using GC/MS and GC/IRMS. GC/MS offers the advantage of simultaneous identification and quantitation of all key components in a single analysis. GC/IRMS enables determination of isotope ratios of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and deuterium. The isotope ratios are linked to the production conditions. Thus the technique makes the discrimination between different batches of the drug feasible.
In summary, different methods including external features, chemical characterisation and profiling methods will be separately evaluated and their significance investigated. The main outcome of the project is a set of recommended harmonised methods required for reliable profiling.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 04.0005