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International Journal of Legal Medicine

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01-05-2014 | Original Article

Differentiation of heroin and cocaine using dual-energy CT—an experimental study

Authors: Jochen Grimm, Ramona Wudy, Edvard Ziegeler, Stefan Wirth, Michael Uhl, Maximilian F. Reiser, Michael Scherr

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 3/2014

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate if heroin and cocaine can be distinguished using dual-energy CT.

Materials and methods

Twenty samples of heroin and cocaine at different concentrations and standardized compression (SC) were scanned in dual-energy mode on a newest generation Dual Energy 64-row MDCT scanner. CT number, spectral graphs, and dual-energy index (DEI) were evaluated. Results were prospectively tested on six original samples from a body packer. Wilcoxon’s test was used for statistical evaluation.

Results

Values are given as median and range. Under SC, the CT number of cocaine samples (−29.87 Hounsfield unit (HU) [−125.85; 16.16 HU]) was higher than the CT number of heroin samples (−184.37 HU [−199.81; −159.25 HU]; p < 0.01). Slope of spectral curves for cocaine was −2.36 HU/keV [−7.15; −0.67 HU/keV], and for heroin, 1.75 HU/keV [1.28; 2.5 HU/keV] (p < 0.01). DEI was 0.0352 [0.0081; 0.0528] for cocaine and significantly higher than for heroin samples (−0.0127 [−0.0097; −0.0159]; p < 0.001). While CT number was inconclusive, all six original packs were correctly classified after evaluation of the spectral curve and DEI. In contrast to the CT number, slope of the spectral curve and DEI were independent of concentration and compression.

Conclusion

The slope of the spectral curve and the DEI from dual-energy CT data can be used to distinguish heroin and cocaine in vitro; these results are independent of compression and concentration in the measured range.

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Title: Differentiation of heroin and cocaine using dual-energy CT—an experimental study
Authors: Jochen Grimm
Ramona Wudy
Edvard Ziegeler
Stefan Wirth
Michael Uhl
Maximilian F. Reiser
Michael Scherr
Publication date: 01-05-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 3/2014
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-014-0980-6

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Differentiation of heroin and cocaine using dual-energy CT—an experimental study

Abstract

Objective

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

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