GEN-MKT-18-7897-A
Jun 3, 2016 | Blogs, Forensic | 0 comments
The importance of protecting a country’s border is a very topical issue. The war on drugs and terror is a 24/7 task 366 days a year (2016 is a leap year). The government agencies in charge must be vigilant and maintain instrumentation to prevent terrorism, drug trafficking, and other illegal activities. Mass Spectrometry is rapidly becoming the instrument of choice for border agencies throughout the world when it comes to explosive trace detection and forensic drug compounds.
In a recent paper in the Journal of Forensic Science1, a comprehensive evaluation using Mass Spectrometry for the trace detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, C-4, Semtex-H, Datasheet, and HMTD was conducted.
The technology employed in this study was a SCIEX API 3200™ System Mass Spectrometer coupled with the Scentinel system, a thermal desorption and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source, engineered by the trace forensic analysis experts at Mass Spec Analytical based in Bristol, United Kingdom. The unique feature of this technique is that it is a chromatography-free analytical solution. There is no need for intensive sample prep or LC gradient. The sample is introduced to the source and produces a response in a very short period. The findings of this evaluation concluded that,“The direct analysis by mass spectrometry using the Scentinel transformed the traditional day-long quantification analysis of solvent extraction chromatography to minutes, eliminated sample loss, and allowed the transfer efficiency to be quantified for every test surface used.”
The Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) requirement for testing explosives detectors is just one such application that could be carried out using this configuration. For more information on the forensic drug screening visit SCIEX.com and discover more about the forensic drug screening services from Mass Spec Analytical.
The latest solution for forensic analyte testing from SCIEX is the X500R QTOF System, an instrument that has been specifically engineered based on the requirements of forensic scientists throughout the world. To accompany the SCIEX OS software we have produced a comprehensive acquired High-Resolution Mass Spec Library, click here for more information about a free trial and XIC list.
1.Tam, M.; Pilon, P. and Zaknoun, H. of the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) entitled “Quantified explosives transfer on surfaces for the evaluation of trace detection equipment”
For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
Regulated laboratories are evolving faster than ever. New analytical modalities, higher sample throughput, increasing regulatory scrutiny, and leaner teams are reshaping how work gets done. At the same time, expectations for data integrity, standardization, and operational efficiency continue to increase complexity and/or scope. In this environment, LC-MS software is no longer simply an instrument control platform—it has become a critical part of a laboratory’s quality management system. The question is no longer whether your lab has changed, but whether your software has evolved to support the way regulated labs operate today, and if they are ready and able to meet the demands, they will face tomorrow.
Analyst software has long been a trusted foundation in regulated LC-MS laboratories—and for many, it still performs reliably today. But regulated environments are evolving faster than ever. As labs transition to Windows 11, strengthen cybersecurity policies, modernize IT infrastructure, and prepare for future compliance expectations, software decisions are no longer just about what works today—they’re about managing tomorrow’s risk. Analyst will not be supported on Windows 11. While some labs may continue operating in unsupported environments temporarily, the bigger question is: when that risk becomes reality, will your lab be reacting under pressure—or executing a planned mitigation strategy with confidence?
As regulatory scrutiny increases and detection requirements tighten, laboratories are facing a new question: How can TFA be measured reliably, sensitively, and at scale?
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