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Updated: Jun 29, 2025

High-throughput and Comprehensive Drug Surveillance Using Multisegment Injection-Capillary Electrophoresis-Mass Spectrometry
Published on: April 23, 2019
Screening for Forensically Relevant Drugs Using Data-Independent High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry
Maia N Bates1,2, Abby E Helm3, Heather M Barkholtz2,3
1Department of Chemistry, College of Letters and Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States.
Untargeted liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) offers effective broad-scope drug screening in forensic toxicology. This method efficiently identifies illicit substances in whole blood samples, aiding laboratories in complex analyses.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Analytical Chemistry
- Mass Spectrometry
Background:
- Forensic labs require rapid screening for diverse illicit substances.
- Untargeted methods are crucial for broad-scope drug analysis.
- Liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) is a sensitive technique for complex matrices.
Purpose of the Study:
- Evaluate an untargeted extraction and data acquisition method for broad screening of drugs of abuse in whole blood.
- Assess the efficiency and effectiveness of LC-HRMS for qualitative forensic toxicology.
Main Methods:
- Supported liquid extraction for 35 target analytes in whole blood.
- Data-independent acquisition using ultra-performance liquid chromatography and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS).
- Analysis of 166 authentic forensic specimens.
Main Results:
- Limits of detection were generally at or below recommended cutoffs.
- Analyte ionization and extraction recovery showed variability across different concentrations.
- Method demonstrated acceptable precision for screening assays.
Conclusions:
- The untargeted LC-HRMS method is efficient and effective for qualitative forensic toxicology screening.
- Laboratories must understand the strengths and limitations of untargeted screening across diverse drug classes.
- This approach aids in identifying a wide range of illicit substances in complex samples.
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