Desenvolvimento de métodos para análises forenses de drogas de abuso por Espectroscopia Raman Portátil e quimiometria

Abstract

The use of drugs of abuse has grown significantly in recent decades. As a result, there has also been an increase in public health and safety problems related to the illegal drug trade and substance abuse. Within the scope of Forensic Chemistry, methods of identification and characterization of drugs contribute to satisfying the interests of researchers, professionals in expertise, and public security authorities. Among these methods, screening tests are highlighted, which are responsible for producing fast and in loco results. Limitations of these tests, such as low selectivity and the probability of generating erroneous results, encourage the development and validation of new methods. In this context, Raman Spectroscopy stands out for enabling fast, non-destructive, and highly selective analysis in laboratory environments or in loco. When combined with chemometric tools, they allow the development of exploratory, supervised, and multivariate calibration analysis methods. Therefore, this paper describes applications of portable Raman spectroscopy associated with Principal Component Analysis to assess trends in samples of cocaine (n = 40), crack (n = 33) and its main adulterants (n = 5), and diluents (n = 5), ecstasy tablets (n = 14), blotter papers (n = 27) and alcoholic solutions adulterated with benzodiazepines (Alprazolam and Diazepam). Quantification of adulterants (benzocaine, licocaine, and procaine) in binary mixtures with crack and alcoholic cachaça solutions adulterated with Bromazepam by Raman spectroscopy and CARSPLS.