Investigating Potential Differences between Cocaine Users and Distributors Using the Ion Mobility Spectrometer

This article examines the possibility of using the ion mobility spectrometer (IMS) to discern the difference between persons who distribute cocaine and those who do not distribute cocaine based on their patterns of cocaine contamination. Criminal justice practitioners who monitor offenders rely primarily upon urinalysis to detect drug use by their clientele. However, since drug distribution is a profitable enterprise for many, persons may continue to engage in drug sales even after desisting from use. In this paper we attempt to determine whether or not a distinct contamination profile exists for persons who admit continued involvement in drug sales and drug sales and use when contrasted to those who deny drug sales but continue to use or deny any drug involvement whatsoever. The findings of our examination and analysis are only moderately supportive of the discernable difference between users and distributors but sufficient, in our view, to continue examining the technology for a potential application to this problem.