What is often a primary goal when analyzing drug packaging in investigations?

The primary goal when analyzing drug packaging in investigations is to identify suppliers. Drug packaging can provide crucial information about the source and distribution networks of illegal substances. Investigators examine various elements of the packaging, such as labels, logos, and even the design and materials used, which may be distinctive to certain manufacturers or suppliers in the drug trade. This can lead to identifying the individuals or organizations responsible for producing or distributing the drugs.

Determining the purity of substances, while important, relates more to the chemical content rather than the packaging itself. Finding fingerprints or DNA evidence can occur, but it is often secondary to establishing connections to suppliers through the packaging. Estimating the market value of drugs is also relevant but tends to focus on the economic aspect of drug trafficking rather than the investigative leads generated from the packaging analysis. Thus, identifying suppliers is the most direct and often a primary goal during such analyses.