Contraband tobacco: Systematic profiling of cigarette packs for forensic intelligence

Caron, L., Crispino, F. et Muehlethaler, C. (2026). Contraband tobacco: Systematic profiling of cigarette packs for forensic intelligence. Forensic Science International, 379 . Article 112739. ISSN 0379-0738 1872-6283 DOI 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112739

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Résumé

Abstract
Tobacco smuggling remains a widespread illegal activity in Canada, associated with important social and economic impacts, and often linked to organized crime. This study explores the application of forensic profiling as an intelligence tool to support the analysis of contraband cigarette production and distribution. Physical and chemical manufacturing characteristics of seized contraband cigarette packs, provided by police forces, were observed and coded using macroscopic, microscopic, and spectroscopic techniques. Multivariate statistical analyses were then conducted to compare manufacturing characteristics between packs and identify potential links. The analyses highlighted links between cigarette packs and seizures based on shared manufacturing characteristics. The results and the identified groups were also compared with seizure data provided by our collaborator. The results demonstrate the relevance of forensic profiling to formulate hypotheses regarding shared production processes or supply networks. These hypotheses provide information that contributes to understanding tobacco smuggling and aim to examine how forensic intelligence can support law enforcement and measures to prevent and disrupt this criminal activity. A preliminary optimal procedure for applying forensic profiling in operational contexts targeting contraband tobacco was finally proposed. Despite limitations in the dataset creation that were beyond our control, this study represents a starting point for applying this scientific approach to tobacco smuggling.

Type de document:	Article
Mots-clés libres:	Forensic science Intelligence Forensic profiling Cigarette packs Multivariate statistics Tobacco smuggling
Date de dépôt:	07 janv. 2026 15:58
Dernière modification:	07 janv. 2026 15:58
Version du document déposé:	Version officielle de l'éditeur
URI:	https://depot-e.uqtr.ca/id/eprint/12514

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