Synthetic opioids and novel psychoactive substances (NPSs) are becoming more prevalent in street drugs, and the dangers associated with analyzing these materials are ever increasing. These risks have led law enforcement agencies to restrict or eliminate field tests, transferring the burden of presumptive testing to forensic laboratories which is increasing backlogs. Laboratories are also trying to deal with the increased hazards personnel face during analysis; and are looking for safe and reliable presumptive tests that don’t require handling bulk powder.<br/>To address these needs, thermal desorption direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (TD-DART-MS) analysis of wipes from drugs evidence were evaluated to determine if the trace residue on the exterior of drug packaging could be used to identify the contents. Evaluation of the approach was completed by wiping the exterior of the officer packaging and seized drug packaging of nearly 200 actual case exhibits. A third wipe, containing, an alcoholic extract, was also collected and all wipes were analyzed by TD-DART-MS to identify how well the residue correlated to the contents. An accurate identification was obtained 92% of the time for seized drug packaging and roughly 50% of the time for officer packaging. When synthetic opioids were present, this approach accurately identified exhibits 100% of the time. This method provides law enforcement and laboratory personnel with a rapid, safe presumptive drug identification without exposure to bulk powders.

Using TD-DART-MS to analyze the exterior of drug packaging to predict the contents

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.