Illicit drug detection with laser 1: investigation of optimal parameters in stomach tissue

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to establish radiation-safe scanning of passersby at high security areas, such as airports and customs. The stomach was selected as the organ to be analyzed. In order to determine whether a substance found inside a human body as wrapped in a plastic bag is filled narcotics or not, many substances in white powder form including morphine-HCL were inspected. Inspection was carried out with on-ionizing radiation by irradiating stomach tissue with laser light. Optical transmittance of lamb stomach tissue was analyzed at different wavelengths. We showed that detection by 650-nm diode laser irradiation would be suitable for such a radiation-safe scan. Different materials were also investigated for absorptive properties, and closed system Raman studies were performed. The spectrum of a molecule found inside white powder placed behind the lamb stomach tissue was detected as a fingerprint. This allowed the detection of target substances without any physical contact or damage to the biological tissue. (C) The Authors. Published by SPIE under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Distribution or reproduction of this work in whole or in part requires full attribution of the original publication, including its DOI.