See-Through Measurements of Illicit Substances in Commercial Containers with the TacticID-1064 ST

Importance of the Topic

The ability to identify illicit and potentially hazardous materials through packaging reduces risk to first responders and accelerates decision making in field operations. Raman spectroscopy is a powerful noninvasive technique, but conventional systems can suffer from fluorescence interference and require direct sample access. The TacticID-1064 ST overcomes these limitations by combining a 1064 nm laser source with patented STRaman technology and a see-through adapter, enabling safe and rapid in situ analysis of narcotics, explosives, and other suspect substances in opaque or transparent containers.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study evaluates the performance of the TacticID-1064 ST handheld Raman analyzer for through-barrier detection of selected illicit substances. Key goals include:

• Assessing identification of fentanyl citrate through envelopes
• Comparing fluorescence suppression at 1064 nm versus 785 nm for N-acetylanthranilic acid
• Testing the ability to detect caffeine through multiple packaging layers

Methodology and Instrumentation

The TacticID-1064 ST system utilizes a 1064 nm laser excitation source and an IP68-rated handheld design with touchscreen and hardware button interface. The see-through (ST) sampling adapter allows nondestructive measurements through opaque and transparent barriers. Key parameters include an adjustable laser power set at 90%, automatic integration times, and a Hit Quality Index (HQI) ranging from 0 to 100 for spectral matching.

• Analytes tested: fentanyl citrate powder, N-acetylanthranilic acid, caffeine
• Containers: manila envelopes, padded shipping packages, white HDPE bottles
• Instrumentation: TacticID-1064 ST with STRaman technology and ST adapter

Main Results and Discussion

The TacticID-1064 ST demonstrated reliable through-barrier detection with high match quality:

• Fentanyl citrate identified through a manila envelope with HQI 85.0
• N-acetylanthranilic acid produced no fluorescence at 1064 nm and yielded HQI 92.2 through an HDPE bottle; in contrast, 785 nm excitation generated overwhelming fluorescence
• Caffeine successfully detected through both a padded shipping package and HDPE bottle with HQI 91.3

These results confirm that 1064 nm excitation effectively suppresses sample fluorescence and enables rapid screening of colored, dark, or inhomogeneous materials through barriers.

Benefits and Practical Applications of the Method

• Enhanced operator safety by eliminating the need for direct sampling of hazardous substances
• Reduced analysis time through nondestructive, in situ measurements
• Reliable identification in the presence of fluorescence or complex mixtures
• Portability and ease of use for field deployment by law enforcement, customs, and hazmat teams

Future Trends and Applications

Continued development of handheld Raman systems may focus on expanding spectral libraries, improving sensitivity, and integrating machine learning for automated interpretation. Advances in adapter design could enable deeper penetration through thicker or multilayer barriers. The combination of portable Raman with remote data sharing and cloud-based analytics will further enhance real-time decision support in security, customs, and emergency response scenarios.

Conclusion

The TacticID-1064 ST offers a robust solution for through-barrier identification of illicit substances, combining 1064 nm excitation and STRaman technology to overcome fluorescence challenges and improve safety. Its rapid, nondestructive approach streamlines field operations and supports actionable decisions without direct sample handling.

References

No external references were provided.