Balancing the utility and legality of implementing portable mass spectrometers coupled with ambient ionization in routine law enforcement activities

Bruno, Alessandra M.; Cleary, Scott R.; O'Leary, Adam E.; Gizzi, Michael C.; Mulligan, Christopher C.

doi:10.1039/c7ay00972k

Cited by 28 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 46 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Analytes of interest can be investigated through a myriad of sampling strategies, such as deposition via pipetting, swabbing or dipping, and the swab itself can be used as a surface-transfer medium to investigate bound, trace residues [6,19]. Addition of a small aliquot (1-2 µL) of solution (e.g., 1:1 MeOH:H 2 O with 0.1% formic acid via pipette) and high voltage allows analyte dissolvation and wicking/elution to the triangular egress of the paper, from which an ESI-like spray is generated [48].…”

Section: Paper Spray Ionization (Psi)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, the smaller footprint of portable instrumentation compared to their laboratory-based, "benchtop" counterparts allows for transportation to locales of interest. A review of current literature shows particularly high activity in regards to portable MS instrumentation and application development amongst the environmental [3,4], forensic [5][6][7][8][9] and defense [10,11] communities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A Low-Cost, Simplified Platform of Interchangeable, Ambient Ionization Sources for Rapid, Forensic Evidence Screening on Portable Mass Spectrometric Instrumentation

et al. 2018

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Portable mass spectrometers (MS) are becoming more prevalent due to improved instrumentation, commercialization, and the robustness of new ionization methodologies. To increase utility towards diverse field-based applications, there is an inherent need for rugged ionization source platforms that are simple, yet robust towards analytical scenarios that may arise. Ambient ionization methodologies have evolved to target specific real-world problems and fulfill requirements of the analysis at hand. Ambient ionization techniques continue to advance towards higher performance, with specific sources showing variable proficiency depending on application area. To realize the full potential and applicability of ambient ionization methods, a selection of sources may be more prudent, showing a need for a low-cost, flexible ionization source platform. This manuscript describes a centralized system that was developed for portable MS systems that incorporates modular, rapidly-interchangeable ionization sources comprised of low-cost, commercially-available parts. Herein, design considerations are reported for a suite of ambient ionization sources that can be crafted with minimal machining or customization. Representative spectral data is included to demonstrate applicability towards field processing of forensic evidence. While this platform is demonstrated on portable instrumentation, retrofitting to lab-scale MS systems is anticipated.

show abstract

Section: Paper Spray Ionization (Psi)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Low-Cost, Simplified Platform of Interchangeable, Ambient Ionization Sources for Rapid, Forensic Evidence Screening on Portable Mass Spectrometric Instrumentation

et al. 2018

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Increasing demand for minimal sample preparation has seen infrared and Raman spectroscopy 10 studies as well as ambient ionisation mass spectrometric analyses, such as direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) 11,12 . The need for rapid, sensitive analysis in the field has also seen the incorporation of paper spray ionization-mass spectrometry (PSI-MS) into portable devices for use by law enforcement 13 . Many instrumental techniques offer confirmatory analysis with sensitive detection and quantitative results.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Color Spot Test As a Presumptive Tool for the Rapid Detection of Synthetic Cathinones

Philp

Shimmon

Tahtouh

et al. 2018

JoVE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Synthetic cathinones are a large class of new psychoactive substances (NPS) that are increasingly prevalent in drug seizures made by law enforcement and other border protection agencies globally. Color testing is a presumptive identification technique indicating the presence or absence of a particular drug class using rapid and uncomplicated chemical methods. Owing to their relatively recent emergence, a color test for the specific identification of synthetic cathinones is not currently available. In this study, we introduce a protocol for the presumptive identification of synthetic cathinones, employing three aqueous reagent solutions: copper(II) nitrate, 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (neocuproine) and sodium acetate. Small pin-head sized amounts (approximately 0.1-0.2 mg) of the suspected drugs are added to the wells of a porcelain spot plate, and each reagent is then added dropwise sequentially before heating on a hotplate. A color change from very light blue to yellow-orange after 10 min indicates the likely presence of synthetic cathinones. The highly stable and specific test reagent has the potential for use in the presumptive screening of unknown samples for synthetic cathinones in a forensic laboratory. However, the nuisance of an added heating step for the color change result limits the test to laboratory application and decreases the likelihood of an easy translation to field testing.

show abstract

“…While DESI and PSI are regarded for their rapidity and decreased sample preparation, coupling these techniques with portable MS systems has the capability to provide massive gains in throughput by allowing evidence screening to occur on-site. Further, recent work involving portable MS instrumentation showed that ambient ionization methods could be used to successfully monitor clandestine methamphetamine production using the Nagai route similar to "Krokodil" [21], as well as being used to screen for relevant residues for common paraphernalia types [22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trace-Level Screening of Chemicals Related to Clandestine Desomorphine Production with Ambient Sampling, Portable Mass Spectrometry

Hall

O'Leary

Lawton

et al. 2017

Journal of Chemistry

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Desomorphine is a semisynthetic opioid that is responsible for the psychoactive effects of a dangerous homemade injectable mixture that goes by street name "Krokodil." Desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) and paper spray ionization (PSI) are implemented on a portable mass spectrometer for the direct analysis of desomorphine and precursor reagent codeine from multiple substrates of potential relevance to clandestine drug laboratory synthesis and paraphernalia seizure. Minimal sample preparation required for analysis and portability of the instrument suggest the potential for rapid, on-site analysis of evidence, a highly desired benefit for forensic science and law enforcement practitioners. Both DESI-MS and PSI-MS can generate spectra consistent with preceding data obtained using traditional ionization methods, while demonstrating detection limits in the low-to sub-ng levels.

show abstract

Balancing the utility and legality of implementing portable mass spectrometers coupled with ambient ionization in routine law enforcement activities

Cited by 28 publications

References 46 publications

A Low-Cost, Simplified Platform of Interchangeable, Ambient Ionization Sources for Rapid, Forensic Evidence Screening on Portable Mass Spectrometric Instrumentation

A Low-Cost, Simplified Platform of Interchangeable, Ambient Ionization Sources for Rapid, Forensic Evidence Screening on Portable Mass Spectrometric Instrumentation

Color Spot Test As a Presumptive Tool for the Rapid Detection of Synthetic Cathinones

Trace-Level Screening of Chemicals Related to Clandestine Desomorphine Production with Ambient Sampling, Portable Mass Spectrometry

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About