Forensic analysis of human hair typically consists of microscopic comparisons and genetic analysis. Often times, hairs collected for forensic analysis do not contain the root, and therefore nuclear DNA analysis cannot be easily performed. In these cases, hairs can be submitted for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis. The long-term objective of this project is to make an impact on forensic hair comparisons, specifically, to utilize a mtDNA extraction procedure and analyze the organic layer from the final extraction step (which would normally be discarded). Including information about an individual's tobacco use will increase the specificity with which hair is compared.  For example, these markers would be particularly useful as �tie breakers� in cases involving maternally related individuals, whose mitochondrial DNA profiles are indistinguishable.  It would also find use in cases where a hair is recovered prior to the development of a suspect and its DNA profile cannot be identified by searching a DNA database.  Similarly, in mass disasters, identifying victims based solely upon a DNA profile (without a comparison sample) is not possible, whereas chemical analysis can still provide valuable information.A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method to analyze nicotine and its metabolite, cotinine, has been developed and optimized utilizing solid phase microextraction (SPME) of hair extracts in various solvents. There are many parameters that must be optimized in developing a SPME method, including SPME fiber type, incubation temperature, incubation time, extraction time, desorption time, and sample volume. Using a statistical experimental design is the best way to determine the optimal parameters without performing every possible parameter combination, or a �vary one parameter at a time� method. This presentation will focus on the optimization of a SPME method utilizing a central composite response surface design.

Solid phase microextraction (SPME) gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) optimization for the analysis of nicotine and cotinine in human hair

246th National Meeting (2013)

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