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Advances in analytical technology and emerging techniques have resulted in the increased exploitation of chemical and isotopic profiling for source linkage/discrimination of illicit drugs for forensic purposes. Although not routinely used for illicit drug investigations, such information has been obtained and its application demonstrated through the use of isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). There is a solid platform of research available relating to the isotopic analysis of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and methamphetamine (MA), however with the recently flourishing designer drug market it was of interest to examine the isotopic profiles of the popular 'party drug' benzylpiperazine hydrochloride (BZP·HCl). A preliminary analysis of δ13C and δ15N isotopic ratios in BZP·HCl products and corresponding synthetic intermediates (piperazine·HCl) synthesized in-house from three different precursor suppliers was conducted using IRMS. Analysis of the δ13C and δ15N isotopic data indicated that discrimination and correct grouping of all the intermediates and some of the product samples examined in this study were achievable., (Copyright © 2014 Forensic Science Society. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This paper demonstrates the use of isotopic analysis of 23 benzylpiperazine (BZP) and trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP) containing tablets seized on two independent occasions by the Northern Territory (NT) Police, Australia. Isolation (High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)) of BZP and TFMPP followed by Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) (carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes) analysis was performed. Results are presented for δ13C and δ15N values of the respective piperazine analogues. The isotopic data and statistical analysis suggest a common source of manufacture for the BZP samples but suggest different sources for the TFMPP isolated from the corresponding BZP containing tablets investigated. The use of IRMS in this case study demonstrated the ability to obtain information regarding the BZP/TFMPP sources unattainable via conventional chemical analysis., (Copyright © 2014 Forensic Science Society. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)