A Comparison of Chromatographic Methods for Estimation of the Diacetylmorphine Content of Illicit Heroin

Samples taken from seizures of illicitly imported heroin were analysed simultaneously in London and Singapore by a number of chromatographic procedures. Ninety-two samples were examined by the techniques of choice in each laboratory. Both high-performance liquid and gas chromatography were used for separation of the constituents of the illicit heroin, and quantitative detection was by ultraviolet absorption, flame ionisation, and mass spectrometry, as appropriate. The results obtained from the various methods were compared statistically. All methods were regarded as satisfactory and no compounds interfering with the quantitation of heroin were found.