Screening of seized drugs utilizing portable Raman spectroscopy and direct analysis in real time-mass spectrometry (DART-MS)

Cooman, Travon; Ott, Colby E.; Dalzell, Kourtney A; Burns, Amber; Sisco, Edward; Arroyo, Luis

doi:10.1016/j.forc.2021.100352

Cited by 25 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…In addition, simulated mixture samples were prepared to replicate authentic seized samples from a crime scene or drug seizure containing a binary mixture of analytes at varying ratios. These mixtures were prepared in similar fashion as previously described by Cooman et al (2021). Briefly as an example, a 1:4 mixture was prepared by combining 10 mg of compound one with 40 mg of compound two within a plastic bag.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As a form of vibrational spectroscopy, Raman provides structural information about analytes of interest, yielding a highly selective analysis, classified by the Scientific Working Group for the Analysis of Seized Drugs (SWGDRUG) as a Category A technique for its discrimination ability (SWGDRUG, 2019). Raman spectroscopy has been utilized extensively in the analysis of drug analytes with benchtop and portable instrumentation (O'Connell et al, 2010;Gerace et al, 2019;Omar et al, 2019;Lanzarotta et al, 2020;Cooman et al, 2021). However, a main drawback to this approach is generally sensitivity, where some drugs are present in authentic samples at a low percent ratio, sometimes masked by diluents or prone to fluorescence, making their analysis challenging with many portable methods.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Forensic Identification of Fentanyl and its Analogs by Electrochemical-Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (EC-SERS) for the Screening of Seized Drugs of Abuse

et al. 2022

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Reliable identification of fentanyl and fentanyl analogs present in seized drug samples is imperative to the safety of first responders and laboratory personnel and informs the future analysis process and handling procedures. The electrochemical-surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (EC-SERS) method developed in this work allows the in-situ preparation of the SERS substrate providing a rapid, efficient, and accurate approach to detect fentanyl, even at low percent by weight concentrations common in seized drugs. Optimization of the electrochemical potentials suitable for the SERS substrate preparation and adsorption of the analyte was achieved using multi-pulse amperometric detection. This method demonstrated large enhancement of the SERS response. This method was applied to six fentanyl analogs with substitutions to the amide group, representing small changes in the fentanyl core structure. Identification of these analogs through differences in the EC-SERS spectra was evident. Interference studies incorporating analytes frequently encountered with fentanyl including heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, naltrexone, and naloxone were assessed and found to offer limited to no interference. The limits of detection of the fentanyl compounds were in the low to mid nanograms per milliliter range, with the most sensitive compound detected at 10 ng/ml. Application of the method to simulated drug mixtures was performed to determine fit-for-purpose. In all mixtures with fentanyl as the minor contributor, fentanyl was correctly identified, including mixture samples comprised of 5 and 1% fentanyl. This approach represents the first in-situ EC-SERS analysis of fentanyl and its analogs and provides accurate and efficient screening for fentanyl in seized drug samples.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic Identification of Fentanyl and its Analogs by Electrochemical-Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (EC-SERS) for the Screening of Seized Drugs of Abuse

et al. 2022

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“…Another advantage of Raman spectroscopy is the spectra are generated quickly (White, 2000). Portable Raman spectrometers are versatile as a fast and safe option as they simplify the testing process through the elimination of sample preparation and allowing for the analysis of a range of chemicals and packaging (Cooman et al, 2021).…”

Section: Vibrational Spectroscopymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The advantages of the SORS is that it is non-destructive to both the sample and the packaging, it has short analysis times, and concealed substances can be identified (Olds et al, 2011). SORS combined with direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) has been shown to provide a rapid and accurate method for seized drugs analysis (Cooman et al, 2021). Raman spectroscopy has the added benefit that it be conducted through packaging on both solids and liquids without compromising precision or accuracy and provide high discrimination between drug structures (Cooman et al, 2021).…”

Section: Raman Spectroscopymentioning

confidence: 99%

Portable testing techniques for the analysis of drug materials

Alonzo

Alder

Clancy

et al. 2022

WIREs Forensic Science

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The analysis of drug material in the field is an important function of law enforcement agencies, forensic drug laboratories, and drug checking services. Portable testing techniques employed by these different groups range from inexpensive screening tools with low discriminating power, such as presumptive chemical color tests, to more sophisticated portable analytical techniques that behave as miniaturized versions of their laboratory counterparts, such as gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Rapid non‐destructive analysis in the field and non‐laboratory environments is afforded by portable and handheld Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers with little to no sample preparation, while handheld Raman analyzers have the added potential for drug material identification through sealed packaging using spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS). Utilization of the most suitable testing technique for the given environment is demonstrated at international borders and airports wherein ion mobility spectroscopy (IMS) is frequently employed for the detection of drug (and explosive) residues owing to its ease of operation and rapid analysis. Advances in technology and materials have provided analysts with new portable testing techniques, including paper spray ionization–MS (PSI‐MS), an ambient MS technique that provides sensitive, rapid, and reliable analysis without the need for sample preparation steps. A growing area of research and interest in the development of sensitive and selective optical and electrochemical portable (bio)sensors for in‐field analysis of drug material indicates that new commercial sensors for drug detection will be available in the foreseeable future. This article is categorized under: Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Controlled and Emerging Drug Compounds Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Emerging Technologies and Methods Toxicology > Drug Analysis

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“…Therefore, for scenarios such as border control, airport, court security, and prison, there is enormous demand for instruments for narcotic detection on the site, which should be sensitive, reliable, rapid, and easy to use. Currently, a number of technologies have been applied in this particular field, such as IMS (ion mobility spectrometry) [ 2 , 3 ], Raman spectrometry [ 4 ], FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) [ 5 ], fluorescence techniques [ 6 ], and so on [ 7 , 8 ]. However, as the number of target analytes continues to increase, especially NPS, the current technologies and solutions are largely outpaced and found difficult to cope with the growing challenges.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Zhang

Wang

et al. 2022

Molecules

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As narcotic control has become worse in the past decade and the death toll of drug abuse hits a record high, there is an increasing demand for on-site rapid detection of illegal drugs. This work developed a portable digital linear ion trap mass spectrometer based on separate-region corona discharge ionization source to meet this need. A separate design of discharge and reaction regions was adopted with filter air as both carrier gas for the analyte and protection of the corona discharge needle. The linear ion trap was driven by a digital waveform with a low voltage (±100 V) to cover a mass range of 50–500 Da with a unit resolution at a scan rate of 10,000 Da/s. Eighteen representative drugs were analyzed, demonstrating excellent qualitative analysis capability. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was also performed by ion isolation and collision-induced dissociation (CID) with air as a buffer gas. With cocaine as an example, over two orders of magnitude dynamic range and 10 pg of detection limit were achieved. A single analysis time of less than 10 s was obtained by comparing the information of characteristic ions and product ions with the built-in database. Analysis of a real-world sample further validated the feasibility of the instrument, with the results benchmarked by GC-MS. The developed system has powerful analytical capability without using consumables including solvent and inert gas, meeting the requirements of on-site rapid detection applications.

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Screening of seized drugs utilizing portable Raman spectroscopy and direct analysis in real time-mass spectrometry (DART-MS)

Cited by 25 publications

References 34 publications

Forensic Identification of Fentanyl and its Analogs by Electrochemical-Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (EC-SERS) for the Screening of Seized Drugs of Abuse

Forensic Identification of Fentanyl and its Analogs by Electrochemical-Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (EC-SERS) for the Screening of Seized Drugs of Abuse

Portable testing techniques for the analysis of drug materials

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

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