Forensic Applications of DART-MS: A Review of Recent Literature

Published

June 17, 2021

Author(s)

Edward Sisco, Thomas Forbes

Abstract

The need for rapid chemical analyses and new analytical tools in forensic laboratories continues to grow due to case backlogs, difficult to analyze cases, and identification of previously unseen materials such as new psychoactive substances. To adapt to these needs the forensics community has been pursuing the use of ambient ionization mass spectrometry, and more specifically direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) for a wide range of applications. From its initial inception as one of the first ambient ionization techniques, forensic applications of DART-MS have been researched with demonstrations ranging from drugs of abuse to inorganic gunshot residue to printer inks and insect identification. This article presents a review of research demonstrating the use of DART-MS for forensically relevant samples over the past five years. To provide more context, background information and a discussion on the potential future and research needs of the technology are also presented.

Citation

Forensic Chemistry

Volume

22

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forc.2020.100294

Local Download

Keywords

DART-MS, Direct Analysis in Real Time, Mass Spectrometry, Forensic Science

Citation

Sisco, E. and Forbes, T. (2021), Forensic Applications of DART-MS: A Review of Recent Literature, Forensic Chemistry, [online], https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forc.2020.100294, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=930574 (Accessed October 9, 2025)