Meeting the Workflows of the Forensic Drug Chemist to Screen, Identify, and Quantitate Unknown Substances for Today’s and the Future’s Emerging Demands

GCMS is one of the most common analytical tools used by the forensic drug chemist. Just as there are different types of tools utilized by a skilled carpenter, there are specific GCMS tools and techniques employed to meet the needs of the forensic chemist. This presentation will illustrate the various GCMS tools and instrumentation to quickly screen unknown samples in under a minute, deconvolute coeluting peaks for spectral fidelity, identify unknowns based on low energy ionization spectra, and confidently quantitate target compounds in unknow matrices.

Speaker: Kirk E. Lokits, GCMS Applications Scientist, Agilent

Advanced Techniques in Oral Fluid Testing: Automation, Targeted Analysis, and Q-TOF Screening

The prevalence of oral fluid as a specimen for driving under the influence (DUI) testing continues to increase nationally and internationally. The toxicology section of the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences (ADFS) has routinely analyzed oral fluid as part of DUI investigations since it was first validated in 2018. It was the first crime lab to implement a comprehensive state oral fluid program that includes approved roadside devices and laboratory confirmation techniques. Oral fluid analysis at ADFS involves liquid-liquid or dispersive pipette extraction prior to LC-MS analysis. To improve laboratory efficiency, automated extraction techniques have been explored and implemented. Current confirmatory methodologies involve analyzing samples using Agilent 6470 and/or ULTIVO LC-MS instrumentation. Additional confidence is provided by the application of high-resolution mass spectrometry utilizing an Agilent 6454 Q-TOF LC-MS. After completing the workshop, participants will have a better understanding of the technologies and procedures available for implementing oral fluid testing in their laboratories.

Speakers:

Curt E. Harper, Ph.D., F-ABFT, Chief Toxicologist, Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences

Robert M. Lockwood, Ph.D., F-ABFT, Senior Forensic Scientist - Toxicology, Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences