ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 17

Ion Mobility Spectrometry of Drugs of Abuse in Customs Scenarios: Concentration and Temperature Study
Kovar, JB
Director, Research and Development and Contraband Detection Division,

Fytche, LM
Project technologists, R & D Section,

Hupé, M
Project technologists, R & D Section,

Pilon, P
Research Scientist, R & D Section, Revenue Canada, Customs and Excise, Laboratory and Scientific Services Directorate, Ontario

(Received 23 December 1991; accepted 14 February 1992)

Abstract

A custom-built ion mobility spectrometer has been used to obtain the IMS spectra of cocaine, heroin, amphetamine sulfate and LSD at different drug concentrations and desorption temperatures. Practical detection limits for these four drugs were obtained as a function of desorber temperature and for heroin as a function of analysis time. Spectral and ionization interferences for each of the four drugs of interest were determined. Spectral interferences by innocuous materials are few; ionization interferences occur only at very high ratios of the mass of innocuous material to that of the drug of interest.

Keywords:
criminalistics, ion mobility spectrometry, drugs of abuse, customs, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Paper ID: JFS13346J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13346J
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