Illicit drug profiling: the Australian experience – revisited

Abstract

In Australia drug profiling had its formal beginnings during the early 2000s. Initially, this involved the development of a heroin signature program by the Australian Federal Police and the National Measurement Institute, which was then expanded to include cocaine, and by 2007 both programs had reached a mature state. From then, the focus switched to high volume synthetic drugs such as methylamphetamine. This paper describes the expansion of the Australian Illicit Drug Intelligence Program (AIDIP) to include a range of chemical signatures aimed at investigating the clandestine manufacturing methods and precursor chemicals used for synthetic drugs such as methylamphetamine. It also describes the commencement of the Enhanced National Intelligence Picture Illicit Drugs (ENIPID), which was designed to monitor domestic drug seizures in the Australian States and Territories with the goal of establishing links to drug trafficking into Australia. Examples of links between domestic, Border and international seizures are explored. Finally, the changing nature of drug trafficking into Australia during the last decade is considered in the context of how forensic chemistry laboratories need to be adaptable and willing to evolve as the threat from illicit drugs evolves.

Keywords:

• Drug profiling
• methylamphetamine
• NPS
• synthetic drugs

Acknowledgements

The author would like to acknowledge the Australian Federal Police without whom the drug profiling programs could not have been realized. In particular the members of the Forensic Drug Intelligence group, especially Ian Evans and Mark Tahtouh. Acknowledgement must also go to the many people who have been part of NMI’s Drug Profiling group since its inception, especially to Helen Salouros, Sasha Vujic, Natalie Hau and Julian Russo. I am also deeply grateful to the scientists at the US DEA for all their assistance over many years. Finally, the author acknowledges the major contribution of Professor James Robertson, National Manager Forensic and Technical, AFP (retired). James conceived the idea of an Australian drug profiling program on a par with the world’s best and then worked tirelessly to see it created. In the process he changed my life – the best years of one’s life are meant to be in front of one but the last 15 years of my life have been pretty wonderful. Thank you, James.