| Affiliation: | 1. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5843-6443;2. The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education at the Fredric Rieders Family Foundation, 2300 Stratford Ave, Willow Grove, PA, 19090Corresponding author: Taís R. Fiorentin, Ph.D. E‐mail:;3. The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education at the Fredric Rieders Family Foundation, 2300 Stratford Ave, Willow Grove, PA, 19090;4. Drug Enforcement Administration, Educational Foundation, 2020 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC, 20006;5. The Colombo Plan, 31 Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka;6. Kentucky State Police Central Forensic Laboratory, 100 Sower Blv, Frankfurt, KY, 40601;7. Vermont Forensic Laboratory, 45 State Drive, Waterbury, VT, 05671;8. NMS Labs, 3701 Welsh Road, Willow Grove, PA, 19090 |
| Abstract: | The following report summarizes a study performed on seized drug exhibits collected in two U.S. states to evaluate the presence and identification of cutting agents. Aliquots of seized drug materials from Kentucky (n = 200) and Vermont (n = 315) were prepared using a dilute‐and‐shoot procedure. Initial analysis was performed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) followed by analysis using liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (LC‐QTOF). Active compounds detected overall included caffeine (31.0%), quinine/quinidine (24.7%), levamisole (11.6%), acetaminophen, (8.2%) and procaine (8.2%). These compounds were found with several drugs of abuse, such as heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. This novel information about cutting agents used to dilute or alter drugs of abuse is important to criminal investigations and in the management of acute intoxications at health centers. However, common methodologies for analysis and standard reporting practices frequently do not include cutting agents, resulting in lacking or inadequate information regarding prevalence of these substances. |
