Forensic Applications of Rapid GC-MS: Seized Drug and Ignitable Liquid Screening

There is a continued need across forensic science disciplines for the development of rapid screening methods that produce high-quality, specific results to address case backlogs and lengthy case analysis protocols. The need for new technologies, however, must be balanced with the time and manpower required to implement and validate such new techniques. One way to lower the barriers of time and manpower is to rethink existing methodologies or implement techniques that are similar to existing technologies, thereby reducing the time required for familiarization.

For forensic chemistry disciplines, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is a major workhorse, but analyses require tens of minutes per sample. Using a GC-MS system capable of heating at much faster rates than conventional systems could provide a rapid screening approach with low barriers for implementation.

This webinar will provide attendees with an overview into some of the technological advances that have enabled rapid (≈1 min) GC-MS analysis and discuss the development of rapid GC-MS methods for two forensic chemistry applications: seized drug analysis and ignitable liquid analysis. For both applications, information on method optimization, method validation, sampling, and data interpretation will be provided. Important lessons that were learned in the investigation of these two applications will also be conveyed.

This webinar will also demonstrate how rapid GC-MS can be incorporated into existing instrumentation and discuss ongoing research efforts into alternative sample introduction techniques, such as solid-phase microextraction (SPME).

Presenter: Dr. Edward Sisco (Research Chemist, NIST)

Edward Sisco is a research chemist at NIST whose focus is on the development of tools and methodologies to address forensic chemistry measurement challenges. His research in the field of seized drugs includes development of new methods and tools, rethinking approaches to traditional drug analysis, visualizing and measuring drug background and particulate spread, and assisting practicing laboratories with implementation of new technology.

Presenter: Briana Capistran (Research Chemist, NIST)

Briana Capistran is a research chemist in the Surface and Trace Chemical Analysis Group at NIST. Her research focuses on the application of new and existing analytical techniques for forensic analysis. Her current work focuses on the development and implementation of screening methods for forensic applications, specifically in the areas of fire debris analysis and seized drug analysis.

Presenter: Lakshmi Krishnan (Product Manager, GC/MSD and QuickProbe, Agilent Technologies)

Lakshmi Krishnan is the GCMS Single Quadrupole Product Manager in the Mass Spectrometry division of Agilent Technologies, located in Santa Clara, California. Lakshmi obtained her M.S. in Biotechnology with a focus on Business Administration, from San Jose State University. At Agilent, she works on new product introductions, marketing and commercialization of GC/MSD platforms.

Presenter: Dr. Birgit Foltas (Editor Wiley Analytical Science, Wiley)

Dr. Birgit Foltas is the editor-in-chief of Imaging & Microscopy. She has worked at Wiley for more than 20 years as a scientific editor. She studied biology at the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany, and received her Ph.D. in cellular immunology from the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg, Germany.