Rapid analysis of ecstasy and related phenethylamines in seized tablets by Raman spectroscopy.
The Analyst March 1, 2000 S E Bell, D T Burns, A C Dennis et al. 112 citations
Raman spectroscopy using far-red (785 nm) excitation can identify MDMA and related drugs in seized tablets, even when mixed with other materials. The technique produces clear spectra with only two-minute data collection, distinguishing chemically similar substances like MDEA and MBDB, and different forms of the same drug. It also identifies bulking agents and allows semi-quantitative analysis of drug and excipient amounts. The method is rapid, non-destructive, and suitable for automatic sample handling, achieving throughputs of 20 samples per hour.