Q1 Q3 and K1are Plastic bag containing white powder.

Specimens Q1-Q3 and K1 were subjected to analysis by LC/MS-MS for the identification and quantitation of cocaine manufacturing impurities and by-products. The cocaine impurities encountered included cis- and trans-cinnamoylcocaine, the isomeric truxillines and the hydroxy-cocaines. Among the cocaine manufacturing byproducts detected were benzoylecgonine, ecgonine methyl ester, ecgonine, N-benzoylnorecgonine methyl ester and N-norcocaine. The comparative chemical analyses provided a positive correlation between specimens Q1 Q3 and K1.

Specimens Q1 Q3 and K1 were subjected to stable isotopic analysis. Establishment of their respective ²H/¹H and ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratios failed to differentiate the four. An additional comparison between the four submitted specimens was undertaken via ICP/MS. Analysis noted trace (ppm/ppb) concentrations of silver, aluminum, cadmium, chromium, copper, manganese, nickel, lead, strontium, calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc at levels which failed to offer a distinction between the four specimens.Question: Determine whether Q1-3 came from K1 and you performed several tests. What contribution to responding to this question did each examination make, i.e., what aspect or dimension of "alikeness" did each examination explore?

(hint: The successive examinations of Q1-3 and K1 explore different aspects of potential commonality. Your job is to articulate what aspect of commonality is being explored by each examination.)