ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 6

Electrospray and MALDI Mass Spectrometry in the Identification of Spermicides in Criminal Investigations
Siuzdak, G
The Scripps Research Institute, Beckman Center for Chemical Sciences, CA

Blackledge, RD
United States Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Regional Forensic Laboratory, California

Hollenbeck, TPE
The Scripps Research Institute, Beckman Center for Chemical Sciences, CA

(Received 2 September 1998; accepted 17 November 1998)

Abstract

Electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry have been used to examine evidence in a sexual assault investigation. Because condoms are being used increasingly by sexual assailants and some condom brands include the spermicide nonoxynol-9 (nonylphenoxy polyethoxyethanol) in the lubricant formulation, the recovery, and identification of nonoxynol-9 from evidence items may assist in proving corpus delicti. A method was developed for the recovery of nonoxynol-9 from internal vaginal swabs and for its identification by reverse phase liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC ESI-MS), nanoelectrospray ionization (nanoESI) mass spectrometry, and high resolution MALDI Fourier transform mass spectrometry (MALDI-FTMS). The method was tested on extracts from precoitus, immediate postcoitus, and four-hours postcoitus vaginal swabs provided by a volunteer whose partner does not normally use condoms, but for this trial used a condom having a water-soluble gel-type lubricant that includes 5% nonoxynol-9 in its formulation. Subsequently, LC ESI-MS was used to identify traces of nonoxynol-9 from the internal vaginal swab of a victim of a sexual assault.

Keywords:
forensic science, nonoxynol-9, spermicide, condoms, sexual assault, LC, mass spectrometry, LC/electrospray MS, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization Fourier transform mass spectrometry (MALDI-FTMS), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and nanoelectrospray ionization (nanoESI) mass spectrometry

Paper ID: JFS14553J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14553J
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