Real-time forensic drug analysis using direct ionization mass spectrometry
Seized drug identification in a forensic drug chemistry laboratory usually involves an initial presumptive analysis that can often result in false positives due to the complex nature of the seized drug material and limitations of the technique used.
In this webinar Peter Cain, Scientific Advisor at Eurofins Forensic Services, will discuss the analysis of seized drug material using a low-cost, compact mass spectrometer. This new approach utilizes ambient ionization to analyze seized drug material without any prior chromatographic separation, therefore providing results in near real time. The improved selectivity of this analysis results in fewer false positives and therefore fewer samples requiring confirmatory GC/MS or LC/MS analysis.
Key learning objectives:
- How ambient ionization mass spectrometry can be used to analyze seized drug material without chromatographic separation
- Advantages of mass spectrometry compared to FTIR and other presumptive screening methods
- Improvements in forensic drug chemistry workflows enabled by direct ionization mass spectrometry
Who should attend:
- Forensic chemists/scientists
- Criminalists
- Crime laboratory directors
- Government Forensic & Toxicology laboratories
Presenter: Peter Cain (CChem MRSC, Scientific Advisor, Drugs, Eurofins Forensic Services)
Peter has been a forensic chemist within the controlled drugs department at both LGC and Eurofins Forensic Services since 1988 and has had a variety of both management and scientific roles. The role of scientific advisor covers R&D, legislative and regulatory matters with quality system responsibilities.
