The problem

Except for actual amphetamines, there has been very little development of harmonised chemical profiling methods for amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), such as ‘speed’ and MDMA (ecstasy). With MDMA, only in-house profiling methods exist. Profiling at international level requires transmission of the samples abroad. This makes the procedure time-consuming and laborious. Moreover, sending samples of illicit drugs to other countries is difficult. Use of a harmonised method would speed up the process because data could be transferred electronically and the results would be compatible at national and international levels.

Overview:

CHAMP contributes directly to combining forensic and law enforcement information to help combat the production and trafficking of synthetic (recreational) drugs.

The project will:

• develop harmonised profiling methods for ATS and a common database of drug sample characteristics. These are the forensic tools for tracking down production sites and trafficking routes
• enable forensic laboratories in Member States to exchange information on the analysis of samples taken from synthetic drug seizures

Contribution to policy development:

• CHAMP will speed up the identification of new synthetic drugs, thereby improving the effectiveness of the Early Warning System that is part of the Joint Action on new Synthetic Drugs (JASD) established under the European Action Plan to Combat Drugs
• It will also progressively help to intensify cross-border co-operation with other countries and international organisations in combating drug trafficking

Project deliverables

• Detailed review report of ATS production sites, methods and trafficking – September 2004
• Detailed review of external features and chemical composition of MDMA and methamphetamine and qualitative methods to analyse new ATSs – October 2004
• Collection and analysis of chemical composition of ATS samples – April 2005
• Harmonised gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer profiling method for ATS samples – December 2005
• Database creation, multivariate statistical analysis of sample data and conclusion of required techniques – April 2006

Dissemination

• Mid-term and final reports – July 2005/2006
• Publication of results, shared database and training of interested bodies – July 2006
• Training programme – July 2006

Technical information

Project acronym: CHAMP
Project’s official full title: Collaborative Harmonisation of Methods for Profiling of Amphetamine Type Stimulants   
Research priority: 2.6. Improved means to anticipate crime trends and causes, and to assess the effectiveness of crime prevention policies; assessment of new challenges related to illicit drug use
Specific webpage: Details not yet available
Proposal/contract no: 502126
Start date: 01/07/2004
Completion date: 30/06/2006
European Commission scientific officer:  Ian Perry (ian.perry@ec.europa.eu)

Coordinator:
Name: National Bureau of Investigation
Abbreviated name: NBI
Address: PO Box 285, Vantaa, 01301,
Country: Finland
Tel: (358) 9 8388 6454 
Fax: (358) 9 8388 6543 
Website: http://www2.poliisi.fi/poliisi/home.nsf/pages/index_eng

Partners

Name: Netherlands Forensic Institute
Abbreviated name: NFI
Country: The Netherlands

Name: Université de Lausanne
Abbreviated name: UNIL
Country: Switzerland

Name: Laboratoire Police Scientifique de Lyon
Abbreviated name: LPS
Country: France

Name: Bundeskriminalamt
Abbreviated name: BKA
Country: Germany

Name: Police of Czech Republic, Institute of Criminalistics Prague
Abbreviated name: ICP
Country: Czech Republic

Name: Drug Enforcement Administration
Abbreviated name: DEA
Country: USA