Scientists give drugs busts more grunt

[Mulcontent]

Found: Fri Jul 13 20:32:35 2007 PDT

Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia Web)

Copyright: 2007 Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Website: http://www.abc.net.au/

 

 

Marijuana's isotopic fingerprint can tell scientists where it came from and how it grew, scientists say (Image: iStockphoto)

 

Scientists say they can tell the origin of marijuana seized in a drugs bust, and whether it was grown inside or out, by looking at its chemical makeup.

 

They say the information could eventually lead to a drug database and 'marijuana map' that could help drug enforcement officials monitor trafficking patterns and trace the contraband to its source.

 

"If you found out a lot of marijuana was coming in from a particular region, it could potentially shape the way you allocate the limited resources you have for law enforcement," says Matthew Wooller, an associate professor at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

 

The clue to the drug's origin lies in some of its stable isotopes, forms of elements that are associated with growing conditions.

 

All plants need water, but the isotopic signature of water, its hydrogen and oxygen, can differ depending on latitude.

 

For example, water from Alaska has a larger proportion of oxygen and hydrogen than water from Brazil. A marijuana plant grown in Alaska can reflect the ratio when analysed.

 

And just as looking at the stable isotope ratio of hydrogen and oxygen can say something about where a plant was grown, so too can nitrogen and carbon reveal something about how the plant was grown.

 

That's because some marijuana is grown outside, soaking up the CO2 naturally present in the atmosphere, while other plants are grown inside and fed CO2 from a tank.

 

"Tank CO2 can have a different isotopic signature than the CO2 in the atmosphere around us now," says Wooller.

 

Nitrogen isotopes reveal what kind of fertiliser, if any, was used.

 

"The use of these four elements is especially interesting considering that oxygen and hydrogen will provide information related to water source, while the isotopic composition of carbon and nitrogen are related to others factors such as climate, temperature and nutrients availability on the soil," says Elisa Shibuya, a nuclear scientist at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil.

 

Shibuya's team did similar analysis using just two isotopes.

 

Get samples to analyse

 

While using a variety of isotopes can better pinpoint the drug, scientists need access to drug samples of known origin.

 

"The availability of these samples by a governmental body for these researchers only becomes possible, whether possible, after overcoming a huge bureaucracy," says Shibuya.

 

That bureaucracy could ultimately stand in the way of drug enforcement.

 

"You can't go out and collect your own samples," says Wooller. "There are strict chains of custody to allow the samples to come into our hands."

 

Wooller is already working closely with the university's police department to obtain the miniscule samples he needs to perform his analysis.

 

He is also looking for funding to devote a researcher to the project full time. If that happens, a he says marijuana map could take shape in the next few years.

[Al B. Fuct]

faaaaaaaaaaaaascinating.

 

I wonder if they'll be able to pick out the buds grown in Sydney by all the cryptosporidium and giardia in the water.

 

I suspect this technology might be a lot more useful to American law enforcement than ours.

[Shithappens]

I bet these scientists have a test or 2 where the samples dont survive....hahaha

 

Damm stoner Scientists getting free pot

[Indycar]

I suspect this technology might be a lot more useful to American law enforcement than ours.

 

I tend to agree with ya Al, I'd imagine this task would be handled by forensics. Last time i heard, the Head office in Brisvegas takes roughly 18 months to deal with something. I'd guess the backlog has blown out since then.

[WantDaChronic]

what about people that share strains? or what about people who use hydroponic nutrients on soil plants grown outdoors? better yet, what if no CO2 tank is used for the indoor plants and they are grown organically in soil?

 

those tests are a pointless waste of tax payer money at best

[RobbieGanjaSeed]

You know, before grass started to be grown inside, you might all recall the way buyers would take a sample of grass, hold it up to the light, smell it, feel it, have a toke, then suggest "mullum?" or they might say "Hunter valley?".. Trust science to take the finese out of conosieurs. where's the challenge now for people to show their talent to know where a bag was grown, what conditions, and even it's vintage...dear, dear me. Another vesitage of the scene destoryed..

 

Mind you, I wonder if when you get charged the report might contain tips on things you could have done to improve the crop?

 

cheers

rob