Citation

Grové AA, Rohwer ER, Laurens JB, Vorster BC. J. Forensic Sci. 2006; 51(2): 376-380.

Affiliation

Forensic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Health, Private Bag X282, Pretoria 0002, Republic of South Africa. grovea@health.gov.za

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, American Society for Testing and Materials, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1556-4029.2006.00053.x

PMID

16566774

Abstract

A validated gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method for quantitative analysis of methaqualone (MTQ) in illicit preparations is reported. The method proved to have a coefficient of variation of below 5%. Four batches of seized tablets, two pairs with similar imprints, were analyzed. It was found that the average MTQ concentration in all four batches of tablets differed significantly (p = 0.01) rendering it impossible to conclude that, on the basis of MTQ concentration alone, the batches with a similar logo originated from the same manufacturer or manufacturing batch. Conversely, it can be said that in this case, the four batches originated from either different clandestine laboratories or manufacturing batches.

Language: en