Forensic mass spectrometry

Intact hemoglobin variants can also be detected with ESI-MS. The ESI mass spectrum contains a series of multiply charged ions that usually complicate the detection of a protein mixture. The data can, however, be software-transformed to provide a single peak that is unique to a specific protein. This approach has been used to identify hemoglobin from a blood sample from a newborn sickle-cell carrier [46]. 

The second example represents a large-scale human metabolomics study that was performed with LC/MS [54]. The aim of this study was to identify potential biomarkers from lipid profiles of some 600 human plasma samples. Lipids were extracted from plasma samples and subjected to LC/ESI-MS analysis. Several different classes of lipids, such as phosphatidylcholines, lysophosphatidyl-cholines, triglycerides, diglycerides, sphingomyelins, and cholesterol esters were the target of this study. To detect small differences in metabolic profiles, statistical methods were used to process this large set of data. Partial least-squares discriminant analysis of the data could locate potential biomarkers. 

Forensic science deals with solving a crime. Analytical chemistry, especially mass spectrometry, has been at the forefront in gathering evidence of the crime. In addition, the early detection of explosives and biohazards can prevent catastrophic 

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In this chapter we review briefly a very broad and diverse range of topics not covered in previous chapters. These topics include enzyme kinetics, imaging mass spectrometry, identiflcation of microorganisms, clinical mass spectrometry, forensic mass spectrometry, metabolomics, and screening of combinatorial libraries. 

Yinon J (ed) (1987) Forensic mass spectrometry. CRC, Boca Raton, FL... 

Watson, J.T., Introduction to Mass Spectrometry Biomedical, Environmental and Forensic Applications, Raven Press, New York, 1976. 

Apart from the well-known journals covering aspects of chemistry, physics, biology, medicine, geology, environmental science, electrical engineering, and forensic science, which all have occasional articles that use mass spectrometry for analytical purposes, the following journals frequently contain papers in which mass spectrometry plays a major role ... 

Fredriksson, S. Hulst, A. G. Artursson, E. de Jong, A. L. Nilsson, C. van Baar, B. L. Forensic identification of neat ricin and of ricin from crude castor bean extracts by mass spectrometry. Anal. Chem. 2005, 77,1545-1555. 

Z. Takats, J. M. Wiseman and R. G. Cooks, Ambient mass spectrometry using desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) instmmentation, mechanisms and applications in forensics, chemistry, and biology, J. Mass Spectrom., 40, 1261 1275 (2005). 

P. Marquet. Progress of Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry in Clinical and Forensic Toxicology, Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, 24, no. 2, (2002). 

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (gc/ms GC-MS), 4 616 6 381, 431 archaeological materials, 5 743 use in forensic toxicology, 12 91 Gas-controlled heat pipe, 73 234—235 Gas cracking furnaces, additives to, 10 609-610 Gas diffusion... 

Qin BH, Yu BB, Zhang Y, Lin XC. Residual analysis of organochlorine pesticides in soil by gas chromatograph-electron capture detector (gc-ecd) and gas chromatograph-negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC-NCI-MS). Environ. Forensics 2009 10 331-335. 

Mass spectrometry is an indispensable analytical tool in chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacy, and medicine. No student, researcher or practitioner in these disciplines can really get along without a substantial knowledge of mass spectrometry. Mass spectrometry is employed to analyze combinatorial libraries [1,2] sequence biomolecules, [3] and help explore single cells [4,5] or other planets. [6] Structure elucidation of unknowns, environmental and forensic analytics, quality control of drugs, flavors and polymers they all rely to a great extent on mass spectrometry. [7-11]... 

Forensic Applications of Mass Spectrometry Yinon, J., editor CRC Press Boca Raton, 1994. 

Inoue H, Maeno Y, Iwasa M, Matoba, R, Nagas M. 2000. Screening and determination of benzodiazepines in whole blood using solid-phase extraction and gas chromatogra-phy/mass spectrometry. Forensic Sci Int 113 367. 

Bogusz MJ. 2000. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry as a routine method in forensic sciences a proof of maturity. J Chromatogr B Biomed Sci Appl 748 3. 

Hernandez A, Andollo W, Hearn WL. 1994. Analysis of cocaine and metabolites in brain using solid phase extraction and full-scanning gas chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry. Forensic Sci Int 13 149. 

Maurer HH. 2002. Role of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with negative ion chemical ionization in clinical and forensic toxicology, doping control, and biomonitoring. Ther Drug Monit 24 247. 

Smyth WE, Brooks P. 2004. A critical evaluation of high performance liquid chromatography ionization-mass spectrometry and capillary electrophoresis-electrospray-mass spectrometry for the detection and determination of small molecules of significance in clinical and forensic science. Electrophoresis 25 1413. 

Keller, T., Schneider, A., Regenscheit, P., Dirnhofer, R., Rucker, T., Jaspers, J. and Kisser, W. (1999). Analysis of psilocybin and psilocin Psilocyhe subcubensis Guzman by ion mobility spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, Forensic Sci. Int., 99, 93-105. 

Reliable identification of explosives in a modem forensic laboratory is based on instmmental techniques, mainly spectrometric, often in conjunction with chromatographic methods. Gas chromatography—mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is considered to be an excellent and reliable method in forensic analysis, including the analysis of explosives. 

Mass spectrometry has become a routine technique for forensic analysis of explosives and one of the technologies used for vapor and trace detection of hidden explosives. 

Mass spectrometry, and especially LC/MS, is a major technique in the analysis of explosives. It combines good sensitivity and selectivity, and in addition to MS/ MS, provides an excellent identification tool for the forensic analyst. 

J. Yinon Analysis of explosives hy LC/MS. In J. Yinon, (ed.). Advances in Forensic Apphcations of Mass Spectrometry, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2003. 

With a focus on trace forensic detection of explosives, especially for use in counterterrorism and to counter narcotics investigations, Fetterolf et al. [75] evaluated the use of ion mobility-mass spectrometry for explosives determinations. In this, explosives residues were collected on a membrane filter by a special attachment on a household vacuum cleaner. Although subsequent thermal desorption and analysis required only 5 s, fimits of detection for most common explosives were as low as 200 pg. The persistence of explosives on hands and transfer to other surfaces were also examined as were post-blast residues of NG on fragments of improvised explosive devices constructed with double-based smokeless powder. Finally, postblast residue from C-4, Semtex, and other explosives was found by IMS analyses on items of forensic and evidentiary value. These few out of many examples demonstrate that mobihty spectrometers are well suited tools for laboratory and on-site investigations, before and after the use of explosives. 

X. Xu, A.M. van der Craats and P.C.A.M. de Bmyn, Highly sensitive screening method for nitroaromatic, nitramines and nitrate ester explosives by high performance liquid chromatography — atmospheric pressure ionization — mass spectrometry (HPLC-APl-MS) in forensic applications , J. Forensic Sci., 49 No. 6 (2004) 1171-1180. 

R. G. Ambient mass spectrometry using desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) instrumentation, mechanisms and applications in forensics, chemistry, and biology. 

The novel horizons in natural product chemistry are a consequence of advances in mass spectrometry instrumentation. Current applications comprise the elucidation of natural products as part of total extract mixtures in samples of interest to environmental chemists, archaelogists, paleobotanists, geologists, oceanographers, atmospheric chemists, forensic chemists and engineers. The list of applications is expected to expand and some examples are discussed in this chapter. 

McLuckey SA, Glish GL, Carter JA. 1985. The analysis of explosives by tandem mass spectrometry. J Forensic Sci 30 773-788. 

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