NCJ Number
226898
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 54 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2009 Pages: 617-622
Date Published
May 2009
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study determined the capabilities for forensic drug screening of the Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART) ion source, a relatively new mass spectrometry technique being used in chemical analyses worldwide.
Abstract
Based on testing done with a DART source coupled with a JEOL, Inc. (Peabody, MA) AccuTOF accurate mass time-of-flight mass spectrometer (AccuTOF-DART), this study validated the use of the AccuTOF-DART as a screening tool for drug analysis; however, due to some of the limitations identified, more work must be done before this procedure can be used as a routine confirmation tool. The authors envision that when used in conjunction with other characterizing techniques, such as the physical identification of pharmaceutical tablet and capsule markings, the AccuTOF-DART will soon be used as a confirmation tool for drugs of abuse. The spectra produced with the AccuTOF-DART were much richer in detail than the information typically obtained from the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GS/MS) instruments. The AccuTOF-DART was able to detect many more compounds simultaneously than the GC/MS, since the DART ionization is of the entire mixture and is not restricted by the temperature and time constraints on the GC/MS instrument runs. Although the AccuTOF-DART generally produces easily interpretable spectra, the heroin case example warns that data obtained from this instrument must be examined carefully. When dealing with multicomponent mixtures, the spectra produced can be difficult to interpret, especially at higher orifice 1 voltages. The materials and methods used in the experiments are described in detail, including the limit-of-detection study, the selectivity study, and the comparison with GC/MS. 10 figures and 11 references