Fieldable Mass Spectrometry for Forensic Science, Homeland Security, and Defense Applications

Abstract

Mass spectrometry is commonly used in forensic chemistry laboratories for sensitive, definitive analysis. There have been significant efforts to bring mass spectrometry analysis on-site through the development of ruggedized, fieldable instruments. Testing samples in the field is of particular interest in forensic science, homeland security, and defense applications. In forensic chemistry, testing seized drugs in the field can significantly improve efficiencies in processing of related criminal cases. The screening of passengers and luggage at transportation hubs is a critical need for homeland security for which mass spectrometry is well suited to provide definitive answers with low false positive rates. Mass spectrometry can yield reliable data for military personnel testing sites for potential chemical weapons release. To meet the needs of the forensic and security communities fieldable mass spectrometers based on membrane inlet systems and hybrid gas chromatography systems have been developed and commercialized. More recently developed ambient ionization mass spectrometry methods can eliminate the time, equipment, and expertise associated with sample preparation, and so are especially appealing for on-site analysis. We describe the development of fieldable mass spectrometry systems, with emphasis on commercially available systems that have been deployed for on-site analysis of seized drugs, chemical warfare agents, explosives, and other analytes of interest to the forensic and security communities.

Roadside Drug Testing Approaches

“…The sample is added to the immunoassay strip; most tests run at the surrounding environment temperature, whereas others need to be incubated to exact temperatures [ 5 , 35 ]. Dried blood spots could also be considered as an on-site blood collection technique [ 36 , 37 ]. Figure 1 illustrates the legal procedures followed by law enforcement agencies in the UAE.…”

“…Initially, the test cartridge has to be placed in the analyzer, which prompts the user to obtain an oral fluid sample from the driver within two minutes. Once this is carried out, the sample collector can be placed within the test cartridge, which is already in the analyzer ( Figure 5 ) [ 37 ]. The test cartridge serves the purpose of holding the collector and contains dried agents, buffer, and immunoassay test strips.…”

“…More recently, developed ambient ionization mass spectrometry methods can eliminate the time, equipment, and expertise associated with sample preparation and so are especially appealing for on-site analysis. The development of fieldable mass spectrometry systems, with emphasis on commercially available systems, could be used for the on-site analysis of seized drugs, explosives, chemical warfare agents and other compounds of interest [ 37 ].…”

Portable Digital Linear Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer Based on Separate-Region Corona Discharge Ionization Source for On-Site Rapid Detection of Illegal Drugs

“…Miniaturization of MS for on-site rapid detection is an important direction for the further development of the field. Ion trap mass spectrometer has been considered an optimum choice because of its moderate vacuum requirements, simple structure, and tandem analysis capability [ 9 ]. The development of ambient ionization methods without sample preparation or separation such as desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) [ 10 , 11 ], direct analysis in real-time (DART) [ 11 , 12 ], photoionization (PI) [ 13 , 14 , 15 ], low temperature plasma (LTP) [ 16 , 17 ], paper spray ionization (PSI) [ 18 , 19 ], further paved the way for MS technology from the laboratory use to onsite applications.…”

A 3-in-1 Hand-Held Ambient Mass Spectrometry Interface for Identification and 2D Localization of Chemicals on Surfaces

“…Now, a variety of both direct as well as indirect surface sampling methodologies are available to ionize chemicals on surfaces at ambient conditions. The former include desorption electrospray ionization (DESI), direct analysis in real time (DART), low-temperature plasma (LTP) ionization, rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry (REIMS), easy ambient sonic-spray ionization (EASI), picosecond infrared laser desorption (PIRL), SpiderMass, or sources, which combine different ionization technologies. − However, the importance and impact of direct surface sampling techniques is emphasized by numerous important applications. − In contrast, a common feature of indirect surface sampling methods is the local separation of the extraction and the ionization process. Most common are liquid extraction surface analysis (LESA), nanospray DESI (nano-DESI), commercially available elution-based systems, , and the recently launched MasSpec Pen …”