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                            Library & Multimedia
 Targeted Fentanyl Screening Utilizing Electrochemical Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (EC-SERS) Applied to Authentic Seized Drug Casework Samples
NCJ Number
              308301
Journal

*Forensic Chemistry* Volume: 34 Dated: July 2023
Author(s)
          Colby E. Ott;
                        Amber Burns;
                        Edward Sisco;
                        Luis E. Arroyo
Date Published

July 2023
Annotation
              In this article, the authors present the application of a targeted method, which uses electrochemical surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, to authentic seized drug casework samples to assess the performance and fit-for-purpose of the developed method to accurately identify fentanyl and fentanyl-like substances.
Abstract
              Effective and rapid screening methods for seized drug analysis are crucial to ensure the safety of first responders and laboratory personnel, while reducing overall analysis time and improving reliability. The drug landscape has been overwhelmed by fentanyl and fentanyl analogs that are extremely potent and generally present in low concentrations with other drugs and diluents. The authors have previously reported the use of electrochemical surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (EC-SERS) as a novel screening method for detecting fentanyl and fentanyl analogs in the presence of commonly encountered analytes. Herein, the authors present the application of this targeted method to authentic seized drug casework samples to assess the performance and fit-for-purpose of the developed method to accurately identify fentanyl and fentanyl-like substances. Authentic sample sets contained a wide range of analytes, and a varying number of compounds present in each sample, representing both true positive and true negative samples. EC-SERS results were compared to the ground-truth as established by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), as well as the results of chemical color tests. Application to authentic samples allowed for identification of fentanyl and fentanyl analogs. The targeted approach was shown to provide preferential enhancement of the fentanyl signal. The overall accuracy for the targeted screening method for the presence of a fentanyl/fentanyl-like substance was 87.5 percent and the fentanyl samples averaged between 6 wt percent to 9 wt percent fentanyl or fentanyl analog. EC-SERS provided an alternative fentanyl screening approach demonstrating results within minutes and the absence of false positives. (Published Abstract Provided)
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2019-DU-BX-0030


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Research (Applied/Empirical)


  
  
        
  Award
        Fast On-site Screening of Seized Drugs by Electrochemical and Spectroscopic Tools: Identification of Fentanyl and Novel Psychoactive Substances
    
  
  
Date Published: July 1, 2023
    
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