Applications of liquid‐based separation in conjunction with mass spectrometry to the analysis of forensic evidence

Abstract

In the past few years, there has been a significant effort by the forensic science community to develop new scientific techniques for the analysis of forensic evidence. Forensic chemists have been spearheaded to develop information-rich confirmatory technologies and techniques and apply them to a broad array of forensic challenges. The purpose of these confirmatory techniques is to provide alternatives to presumptive techniques that rely on data such as color changes, pattern matching, or retention time alone, which are prone to more false positives. To this end, the application of separation techniques in conjunction with mass spectrometry has played an important role in the analysis of forensic evidence. Moreover, in the past few years the role of liquid separation techniques, such as liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis in conjunction with mass spectrometry, has gained significant tractions and have been applied to a wide range of chemicals, from small molecules such as drugs and explosives, to large molecules such as proteins. For example, proteomics and peptidomics have been used for identification of humans, organs, and bodily fluids. A wide range of HPLC techniques including reversed phase, hydrophilic interaction, mixed-mode, supercritical fluid, multidimensional chromatography, and nanoLC, as well as several modes of capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry, including capillary zone electrophoresis, partial filling, full filling, and micellar electrokenetic chromatography have been applied to the analysis drugs, explosives, and questioned documents. In this article, we review recent (2015-2017) applications of liquid separation in conjunction with mass spectrometry to the analysis of forensic evidence.

Toward Locard’s Exchange Principle: Recent Developments in Forensic Trace Evidence Analysis

“…Liquid-based separation in connection with MS techniques was found to be very useful for many forensic applications. Moini published a review on recent liquid separation MS analyses in forensics which includes explosives . As this review includes articles published between 2015 and 2017, we do not include studies evaluated therein.…”

Proteomics in Forensic Analysis: Applications for Human Samples

“…The development and applications of proteomics have emerged as powerful tools in forensic science. Proteomics has attracted forensic scientists in recent years owing to its applicability to answer different forensic questions [4,11]. It can provide informative data that cannot be answered by DNA analysis.…”

“…However, in some cases, DNA might not answer all questions relating to forensics, such as the biological fluid or tissue type of a sample [4]. DNA in samples is sometimes unavailable or degraded, whereas proteins can persist and thus, can be analyzed instead [11]. Proteins themselves are also the targeted biomolecules when analyzing protein toxins, protein drugs, and hormones.…”

“…In addition, Nicora et al described details of sample preparation in bottom-up proteomics [24], and Cole et al focused on proteomics sample treatment procedures applied for tissues [25]. Another review summarized some applications of proteomics in forensics, including human identification from hair samples and identification of body fluids [11]. A recent review presented some forensic proteomic applications, such as human samples (hair, bone, and body fluids), species identification, toxins, and microbial forensics [4].…”

Past, present, and future developments in enantioselective analysis using capillary electromigration techniques

“…Nowadays, pharmacological and toxicological data are required during the drug development process to grant mar-ket access to newly developed drugs, a process strictly controlled by government regulations. Besides pharmaceutical industries, the characterization of enantiomers has also become relevant in other fields of research, such as forensic science, metabolomics, food analysis, the agrochemical industry, and environmental analysis [12][13][14][15][16][17].…”