Cloud‐Enabled Handheld NIR Spectroscopy: A Transformative Approach for Real‐Time Forensic Analysis of Cannabis Specimens

Abstract

In the past few years, there has been significant interest within the forensic community regarding the deployment of portable solutions that provide real‐time results. This article introduces an innovative technology or technology architecture that enables the integration of a handheld device, specifically, Viavi MicroNIR, with a cloud‐based system. This cloud system encompasses a server responsible for data processing and a mobile application acting as a user interface.To demonstrate the transformative impact of this technology on field operators, the analysis of cannabis specimens has been utilized. System's capacity to distinguish between CBD‐type and THC‐type cannabis has been particularly highlighted, along with the remarkable congruence observed between the near‐infrared (NIR) spectra and the reference analytical method involving ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)The article will present the advantages of this application primarily focusing on its potential to alleviate the burden on laboratories by expediting routine illicit drug analysis. Viavi MicroNIR technology provides laboratory personnel with additional time to handle more complex cases, thereby enhancing overall efficiency.

Sensor for Rapid In-Field Classification of Cannabis Samples Based on Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

“…According to the literature, PLS-R models for THC quantification are typically not precise enough to distinguish between legal and illegal cannabis [12,13]. To confirm this, we trained a PLS-R model on the NIR spectra of the calibration data set and used it to predict the THC levels of the validation set, leading to an RMSEP of 2.0 wt% with an R² of 0.857, comparable to previously reported values.…”

“…However, these methods do not provide the necessary measurement precision to reliably distinguish between legal and illegal samples. Nevertheless, optical measurement techniques, which allow measurement of the THC concentration in cannabis, including e.g., near-infrared (NIR) [12][13][14], mid-infrared (MIR) [15], and Raman spectroscopy [16,17], have been presented in the literature. Mostly, published works on THC measurements and commercially available optical cannabis sensors [18][19][20] focus on potency measurements, i.e., measurement of total THC concentration in the investigated samples.…”

“…Mostly, published works on THC measurements and commercially available optical cannabis sensors [18][19][20] focus on potency measurements, i.e., measurement of total THC concentration in the investigated samples. Measurement precisions down to a root mean squared error of prediction (RMSEP) of approximately 1.3 wt% [12], and 2.32 wt% [21] THC, have been reported for NIR and MIR spectroscopy, respectively.…”