Ambient pressure thermal desorption ionization mass spectrometry for the analysis of substances of forensic interest

Abstract

The large backlog of forensic samples needing chemical analysis requires new tools with high specificity, throughput, and reliability. Mass spectrometric techniques have the specificity and reliability necessary for identification, but often require sample preparation before analysis. The growth of ambient pressure ionization techniques has the capability to reduce the need for lengthy preparation. This report presents one possible technique, ambient pressure thermal desorption ionization mass spectrometry, which could prove to be useful to the forensic science community. Example mass spectra for several explosive compounds and illicit drugs obtained from liquid and bulk samples with almost no sample preparation are presented. The use of the technique for quantitative analysis is also addressed.