The detection and identification of abuse substances in unknown specimens poses unusual analytical problems in the field of forensic toxicology. A wide variety of compounds may be encountered, from natural and synthetic opioids, cocaine, amphetamine derivatives, ketamine, to the newest and less widely used classes of drugs such as synthetic cannabinoids, cathinones and smart drugs. The Pharmaco-Toxicological Analysis Laboratory of the University of Bologna received a finding from a subject who claimed it could contain traces of illicit drugs; the finding (a steel spoon) appeared almost completely turned in on itself. The outer convex portion showed obvious signs of blackening of the metal, presumably due to a prolonged heating to direct flame. The inner concave portion showed the presence of a greyish white solid, probably the last remnants of a dried solution. Thus, an extensive screening assessment was carried out in order to identify and quantify possible drugs of abuse or psychotropic substances: the powder residues obtained from the finding were dissolved in different organic solvents and screened via infusion in an advanced electrospray ionisation (ESI+) triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The following chromatographic analysis was carried out by means of a LC-MS/MS methodology, developed for the detection of the major classes of abuse substaces. The screening suggested the presence of drugs of abuse, namely heroin and cocaine, in each sample collected from the specimen under examination. The analytical approach described in this case report shows how mass spectrometry can be a very powerful tool for the investigation of drugs of abuse in specimens of unknown composition.
Laura Mercolini, Michele Protti, Maria Augusta Raggi (2013). Mass spectrometry investigation for drugs of abuse control in unknown specimens. Riccione : SOCIETÀ CHIMICA ITALIANA (SCI).
Mass spectrometry investigation for drugs of abuse control in unknown specimens
RAGGI, MARIA AUGUSTA
2013
Abstract
The detection and identification of abuse substances in unknown specimens poses unusual analytical problems in the field of forensic toxicology. A wide variety of compounds may be encountered, from natural and synthetic opioids, cocaine, amphetamine derivatives, ketamine, to the newest and less widely used classes of drugs such as synthetic cannabinoids, cathinones and smart drugs. The Pharmaco-Toxicological Analysis Laboratory of the University of Bologna received a finding from a subject who claimed it could contain traces of illicit drugs; the finding (a steel spoon) appeared almost completely turned in on itself. The outer convex portion showed obvious signs of blackening of the metal, presumably due to a prolonged heating to direct flame. The inner concave portion showed the presence of a greyish white solid, probably the last remnants of a dried solution. Thus, an extensive screening assessment was carried out in order to identify and quantify possible drugs of abuse or psychotropic substances: the powder residues obtained from the finding were dissolved in different organic solvents and screened via infusion in an advanced electrospray ionisation (ESI+) triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The following chromatographic analysis was carried out by means of a LC-MS/MS methodology, developed for the detection of the major classes of abuse substaces. The screening suggested the presence of drugs of abuse, namely heroin and cocaine, in each sample collected from the specimen under examination. The analytical approach described in this case report shows how mass spectrometry can be a very powerful tool for the investigation of drugs of abuse in specimens of unknown composition.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.