Changes in place of origin of heroin seized in Denmark from 1981 to 1986. "Chemical fingerprint" of 138 samples.

Hundred thirty-eight samples of heroin weighing more than 0.1 g seized between 1981 and 1986 were characterized according to their contents of opium alkaloids, adulterants, and diluents together with their form and color. The "chemical fingerprint" was used to establish a change in the heroin during the period. As compared to the first few years covered by the survey, a predominant number of the samples at the end of the period were in the base form and contained the opium alkaloids papaverine and noscapine. In particular, the concentration of noscapine as related to the heroin content of each sample had increased considerably, indicating Pakistan or Iran as being the places of origin of most of the heroin seized in Denmark at the end of the period.