Forensic Identification of Methcathinone (MCAT) Using Analytical Techniques, Including ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy: A Case Study from Chhattisgarh, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26821/ijsrc.14.7.2026.140702Keywords:
ATR-FTIR, TLC, Methcathinone, MCAT, NDPS, FSLAbstract
This case study focuses on the forensic identification of methcathinone, also known as "MCAT," using various analytical techniques, specifically emphasizing Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy for its non-destructive, rapid, and "green" analytical capabilities1. Methcathinone, a Schedule-I controlled substance under the NDPS Act, poses significant challenges due to its structural similarities to methamphetamine and cathinone as well as its instability, distinguishing methcathinone from its structural isomers2. The current study details a specific case from Chhattisgarh, India, demonstrating the practical application of these methods in forensic investigations to accurately identify this controlled substance.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Shashank Dwivedi, Pankaj Tamrakar, Ankit Kumar Garg
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