Leveraging RADIAN-ASAP in Standard Casework: Insights from Industry Experts
The analysis of seized drugs plays a vital role in the effectiveness of national and international programs which aim to control the use, trafficking, and distribution of illegal drug substances.
Typical workflows include colorimetric tests, FTIR, or TLC presumptive screening analysis followed up by confirmatory analysis using gas chromatography in combination with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). However, for many drugs, colorimetric tests are either not available or are unclear for samples containing multiple components, FTIR results of mixtures can be inconclusive and TLC analysis can be time consuming. This can lead to more samples requiring analysis by GC-MS leading to sample bottlenecks and backlogs.
In this webinar, a panel of three experts in the seized drug field will discuss the use of direct ionization mass spectrometry, focusing on the RADIAN ASAP instrument in standard casework. Perspectives will be shared from a regional lab, an academic lab, and in-house application scientist.
Three (3) Detailed Learning Objectives: After having attended this webinar, one will
- Understand the limitations of current drug analysis workflows
- Explore the application of direct ionization mass spectrometry and gain insights into how the RADIAN ASAP can be used in standard casework.
- Compare perspectives from different laboratory settings, providing a comprehensive understanding of how direct ionization mass spectrometry is applied in various contexts.
For Forensic Toxicology Use Only
Presenter: Karen Lau (Forensic Chemist, Wake County Bureau of Forensic Services)
Karen Lau is a Forensic Chemist at the Wake County Bureau of Forensic Services (WCFS). She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic Science (Chemistry) from the Pennsylvania State University and her Master of Science degree in Forensic Science from Cedar Crest College.
Karen started her career in drug analysis in 2015 as a forensic scientist at the North Carolina State Crime Laboratory. In 2022, Karen joined the team at WCFS where she continues to perform analyses on seized drug evidence.
Karen is certified by the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) in Drug Analysis. She has over nine years of experience performing controlled substance analysis and has completed over six thousand cases to date.
Presenter: Dr. Patrick Sears (Senior Lecturer for Forensic Analysis, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Surrey)
Dr Patrick Sears is a Senior Lecturer of Chemistry and Forensic analysis at the University of Surrey in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. His research expertise and background include developing analytical chemistry solutions for complex problems and understanding how analytical systems can be broken down to improve precision and accuracy. Patrick chairs the ambient ionisation interest group of the British Mass Spectrometry Society and his main research focus is how these technologies can be used to address a diverse range of applications including Drugs of Abuse, Explosives, Environmental Pollutants and Pesticides.
Dr Sears received his B.Sc. (1995) and M.Sc. (1996) from the University of Durham before completing a Ph.D. at the University of Hull completing research on the catalytic oxidation of isobutene by uranium oxide. After being awarded his PhD, Dr Sears worked in process safety analysis (at Rhodia CSD and Thermal Hazard Technology) and in reaction optimisation and flow chemistry (at Syrris) before joining the defence science and technology laboratory (Dstl) in 2008. At Dstl, Dr Sears was a team leader in the Forensic Explosives Laboratory and latterly a Principal Scientist in Explosives Detection where his research interests included the analysis of trace explosive contamination and residues.
Presenter: Emily Lee (Application Scientist, Waters Corporation)
Emily Lee is an Application Scientist at Waters Corporation. Emily is part of a global team dedicated to the development of applications and analytical solutions for Forensics and Toxicology. Emily has gained experience in the use of various Waters mass spectrometry technologies for the analysis of forensic and toxicologically relevant analytes. Prior to working at Waters, Emily has experience working in forensic toxicology laboratories, with high sample turnover and fast turnaround times. Emily was involved in many aspects of day-to-day laboratory operations including sample extraction, analysis, method development and validation, analytical troubleshooting and reporting. Emily also gained a MSc in Forensic Science (Toxicology) at the University of Huddersfield.
