https://dora.health.qld.gov.au/qldresearchjspui/handle/1/21 Wed, 07 Oct 2026 13:39:33 GMT 2026-10-07T13:39:33Z https://dora.health.qld.gov.au/qldresearchjspui/handle/1/12377 Title: Forensic isotope ratio mass spectrometry of packaging tapes Authors: Carter, James F.; Grundy, Polly L.; Hill, Jenny C.; Ronan, Neil C.; Titterton, Emma L.; Sleeman, Richard Abstract: Pressure sensitive adhesive tape (brown parcel tape) is employed in a great many criminal activities such as the restraint of individuals during robbery and offences against the person, the enclosure of explosive devices and the packaging and concealment of controlled drugs. Packaging materials are ubiquitous in modern society and are produced in such vast quantities that it is increasingly difficult to distinguish between different products or to link materials to a common source. This study demonstrates the potential of stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry to characterise parcel tapes based on a number of properties. The carbon isotopic signature, derived from the substrate polymer, associated additives and adhesive is highly characteristic of a particular tape and allows samples from different sources to be readily distinguished. Further discrimination may be achieved by the incorporation of deuterium and oxygen isotopic data and by analysis of the isolated backing polymer. Recovery of intact tape from simulated forensic samples proved straightforward and the isotopic signature of the tape did not appear to be affected by adverse storage conditions. Thu, 01 Jan 2004 00:00:00 GMT https://dora.health.qld.gov.au/qldresearchjspui/handle/1/12377 2004-01-01T00:00:00Z https://dora.health.qld.gov.au/qldresearchjspui/handle/1/12376 Title: Position‐specific 13C/12C analysis of amino acid carboxyl groups – automated flow‐injection analysis based on reaction with ninhydrin Authors: Fry, Brian; Carter, James F.; Yamada, Keita; Yoshida, Naohiro; Juchelka, Dieter Abstract: The fundamental level of stable isotopic knowledge lies at specific atomic positions within molecules but existing methods of analysis require lengthy off‐line preparation to reveal this information. An automated position‐specific isotope analysis (PSIA) method is presented to determine the stable carbon isotopic compositions of the carboxyl groups of amino acids (δ13CCARBOXYL values). This automation makes PSIA measurements easier and routine. Methods An existing high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) gas handling interface/stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry system was modified by the addition of a post‐column derivatisation unit between the HPLC system and the interface. The post‐column reaction was optimised to yield CO2 from the carboxyl groups of amino acids by reaction with ninhydrin. Results The methodology described produced δ13CCARBOXYL values with typical standard deviations below ±0.1 ‰ and consistent differences (Δ13CCARBOXYL values) between amino acids over a 1‐year period. First estimates are presented for the δ13CCARBOXYL values of a number of internationally available amino acid reference materials. Conclusions The PSIA methodology described provides a further dimension to the stable isotopic characterisation of amino acids at a more detailed level than the bulk or averaged whole‐molecule level. When combined with on‐line chromatographic separation or off‐line fraction collection of protein hydrolysates the technique will offer an automated and routine way to study position‐specific carboxyl carbon isotope information for amino acids, enabling more refined isotopic studies of carbon uptake and metabolism. Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT https://dora.health.qld.gov.au/qldresearchjspui/handle/1/12376 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://dora.health.qld.gov.au/qldresearchjspui/handle/1/12375 Title: Bulk and compound-specific isotopic characterisation of illicit heroin and cling film Authors: Idoine, Fay A.; Carter, James F.; Sleeman, Richard Abstract: Comparative analysis involves various but complementary methods and can be used for forensic intelligence purposes to group seizures of heroin into batches. Much forensic analysis now combines expertise in the traditional area of drugs investigation with a detailed understanding of supply, packaging, distribution, and drugs intelligence. It was the intention of this research to determine whether illicit heroin seizures and packaging material can be grouped according to isotopic compositions, and to explore factors that affect the isotopic compositions. In order to achieve these aims, 14 samples of seized heroin, thirteen provided by Avon and Somerset Constabulary (UK), were analysed by elemental analysis/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA/IRMS) and gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS) for carbon and hydrogen isotopes. These tests elucidated that a combination of the δ13C, δ15N, δ18O and δ2H results from EA/IRMS is able to distinguish between most samples of bulk heroin. We speculate that the δ13C values of the alkaloids, obtained by GC/C/IRMS, give indications of different geographical or temporal origins of some of the heroin samples. GC/C/IRMS of the cutting agent, caffeine, provides a means to link dilution events. Fifteen retail cling film samples and seven cling film samples from heroin seizures were analysed by EA/IRMS. A multivariate comparison of the carbon, hydrogen and oxygen isotope ratios was able to distinguish between most of the samples. This technique enabled the cling films from the heroin to be grouped according to seizure. Three solvents were tested on two samples of cling film of known composition. Methanol and chloroform were both found to extract material from PVC and from non‐PVC cling films. Water‐treated PVC was indistinguishable from the untreated PVC and thus water was found to be the most suitable solvent when washing cling film prior to IRMS analysis. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Sat, 01 Jan 2005 00:00:00 GMT https://dora.health.qld.gov.au/qldresearchjspui/handle/1/12375 2005-01-01T00:00:00Z https://dora.health.qld.gov.au/qldresearchjspui/handle/1/12374 Title: Comparison of the analytical performance of filament and Curie-point pyrolysis devices Authors: Stankiewicz, B.A.; Van Bergen, P.F.; Smith, M.B.; Carter, J.F.; Briggs, D.E.G.; Evershed, R.P. Abstract: A wide range (16) of synthetic polymers, biological and organic geochemical samples was chosen to compare the performance of filament and Curie-point pyrolysis devices in combination with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (py-GC/MS). The pyrolysis results were compared qualitatively, quantitatively and using statistical data visualization methods. Multivariate visualization methods showed a good reproducibility between consecutive runs of the same sample. Statistical analyses of processed py-GC/MS data and qualitative comparison of total ion and mass chromatograms revealed a high degree of comparability between the data obtained from the two pyrolysis devices. This investigation constitutes the first systematic comparison of the two most widely used pyrolysis devices and demonstrates that their results can be confidently cross-referenced providing that all other analytical variables, e.g. sample size, GC column stationary phase, carrier gas, etc. are strictly controlled. Thu, 01 Jan 1998 00:00:00 GMT https://dora.health.qld.gov.au/qldresearchjspui/handle/1/12374 1998-01-01T00:00:00Z