Comparing Two Analytical Workflows for Seized Drug Analysis of Synthetic Cannabinoids, Cathinones, and Opioids

Published

October 25, 2021

Author(s)

Edward Sisco, Amber Burns, Elizabeth Schneider, Charles R. Miller, IV, Laurel Bobka

Abstract

As the challenges faced by drug chemists continue to persist, due the presence of synthetic opioids, novel psychoactive substances, and other emerging drugs, laboratories are continuing to look for new analytical approaches or techniques to ease the burdens. These new solutions can range from simple changes in existing methods to better distinguish isomers to adoption and implementation of entire new technologies for screening or confirmation. A barrier to these transitions, however, can be an incomplete understanding of how, and even if, these changes will address the challenges a laboratory is facing. In this study, we attempt to compare, qualitatively and quantitatively, an existing analytical workflow for seized drug analysis to a new, experimental workflow in order to better understand the potential benefits and drawbacks. Using a set of adjudicated and mock case samples containing synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones, and opioids, four forensic chemists were asked to analyze the samples using one of the two workflows. The existing workflow employed color tests for screening followed by general-purpose gas chromatography flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and general-purpose gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses for confirmation. The experimental workflow combined direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) for screening with targeted GC-MS methods for confirmation. At each step in the analysis scheme chemists recorded the time required as well as the level of information obtained. The results of the comparison showed that screening by DART-MS required the same amount of time as color tests but yielded significantly more information. Confirmation using the GC-FID and GC-MS general analysis methods required more than twice the amount of instrument time and data interpretation time as well as several analytical challenges that prevented compound confirmation in some samples. Use of targeted GC-MS methods simplified data interpretation, reduced consumption of reference materials, and addressed almost all the limitations of general-purpose methods. While the experimental workflow is not fully ready and validated for casework, this study shows how rethinking analytical workflows for seized drug analysis could greatly assist laboratories in reducing turnaround times, backlogs, and standard consumption.

Citation

Journal of Forensic Sciences

Volume

67

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.14936

Local Download

Keywords

Seized Drug Analysis, Analytical Workflow, Mass Spectrometry, DART-MS, GC-MS, Comparison

Citation

Sisco, E. , Burns, A. , Schneider, E. and Miller, C. (2021), Comparing Two Analytical Workflows for Seized Drug Analysis of Synthetic Cannabinoids, Cathinones, and Opioids, Journal of Forensic Sciences, [online], https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.14936 , https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=932811 (Accessed December 14, 2024)