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Detection of Smuggled Cocaine in Cargo Using MDCT

Silke Grabherr1,2, Steffen Ross1, Priska Regenscheit1, Bernhard Werner1, Lars Oesterhelweg1, Stephan Bolliger1 and Michael J. Thali1

1 Centre for Forensic Imaging, Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
2 Present address: Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 21, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland.


Figure 1
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  		Fig. 1A —Images obtained using fluoroscopy at Zürich airport. Although the two bottles contain different liquids, they show no difference on fluoroscopy. Fluoroscopy shows bottle filled with commercially available red wine.

 

Figure 2
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  		Fig. 1B —Images obtained using fluoroscopy at Zürich airport. Although the two bottles contain different liquids, they show no difference on fluoroscopy. Fluoroscopy image of bottle filled with mixture of water, red coloring, and dissolved cocaine.

 

Figure 3
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  		Fig. 2A —CT results from our study. Three-dimensional reconstruction of bottle containing aqueous cocaine solution. Precipitated material can be found at bottom of bottle (arrow).

 

Figure 4
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  		Fig. 2B —CT results from our study. Three-dimensional reconstruction of commercially available red wine with no visible precipitated material.

 

Figure 5
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  		Fig. 2C —CT results from our study. Cross-section image of bottle filled with cocaine solution. Scroll gives mean attenuation of 37 H (SD, 5 H).

 

Figure 6
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  		Fig. 2D —CT results from our study. On cross-section image of bottle filled with commercially available red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon), measured mean attenuation is –16 H (3 H).

 

Figure 7
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  		Fig. 3 —Graph shows results from 2D evaluation of simulated testing, for which six of 12 wine bottles in cardboard box were spiked with cocaine in different concentrations (10, 30, 50, 70, 90, and 120 g). In this chart, concentration of cocaine in milligrams is marked by circles. Resealed bottles, which were replaced in cardboard box, were scanned with MDCT, and peak of mean attenuation from each bottle was measured. Rounded peak of mean attenuation from each bottle is given as a bar (with numeral at top indicating attenuation). Six bars are in negative area or next to 0 line and six bars are on positive side. Bottles represented by these positive bars were assumed to contain cocaine. Amount of cocaine was estimated to correspond with height of mean attenuation peak. Therefore, bottle 11 was suspected of containing largest amount of cocaine, and bottle 4 was thought to contain small amount of cocaine.

 

Figure 8
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  		Fig. 4A —Location in cardboard box of bottles containing cocaine can be accurately identified on MDCT. Digital photo of prepared wine bottles before carton was closed. Bottles containing cocaine were marked with white sticker on top.

 

Figure 9
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  		Fig. 4B —Location in cardboard box of bottles containing cocaine can be accurately identified on MDCT. Assumed bottle location on cross-section image from MDCT. According to their mean attenuation peaks, six bottles with highest peak were assumed to contain cocaine. On image, six bottles are marked with star.

 

Figure 10
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  		Fig. 5A —Three-dimensional evaluation of simulated testing. Photograph shows 3D model of cardboard box as it was scanned with MDCT.

 

Figure 11
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  		Fig. 5B —Three-dimensional evaluation of simulated testing. Metal reconstruction makes bottles appear diaphanous and gives rapid answer to question of whether bottles contain precipitated material. None of these bottles show precipitation.

 

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