Would you like to learn more aboout the N-(methoxybenzyl)-phenethylamine (NBOMe) compounds, their prevalence in forensic casework, effects, and toxicity? Do you need to understand the analytical processes used for these compounds using FTIR chemical imaging? If so, this presentation will provide an excellent introduction and allow you to have a greater understanding of data obtained via chemical imaging.
Introduction
N-(methoxybenzyl)-phenethylamine compounds (also known as NBOMes) are an emerging threat to public health with fatality related investigations increasing throughout the country. The NBOMes compounds are typically obtained as legal highs through unregulated Internet purchase and are typically consumed on blotter paper. The user experience has been described as a more potent, but a similar high when compared to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Previous reports from this group have demonstrated the utility of non-targeted high resolution mass spectrometry platforms for this application paired with both ambient ionization and electrospray ionization sources since authentic case work samples are often obtained as mixtures of true unknowns. This work employed minimal sample preparation via a 5-minute liquid extraction of the active compounds from the paper. In an extension of this work, chemical imaging by FTIR microscopy was evaluated to provide an orthogonal workflow solution for confirmation to leverage the advantage of DSA-TOFMS for screening (e.g. speed of analysis, reduced cost in consumables and waste etc.). Method development variables considered included variation in sampling depth and scan modes to generate a spatial chemical map of the sample. This work was completed in collaboration with the State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services (Augusta, Maine), Illinois State University (Normal, IL) and Boston University School of Medicine Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology (Boston, Massachusetts). It is anticipated that this no-prep workflow would be of broad-based interest to the forensic community on the topic of emerging drugs of abuse, designer and synthetic drugs.
Learn more
To find out more Separation Science is hosting a presentation by Sabra Botch-Jones from Boston University School of Medicine, Biomedical Forensic Sciences, USA who will be speaking about the feasibility of FTIR chemical imaging for forensic analysis of suspected illicit materials on blotter papers: LSD vs. 25-C-NBOMe as part of its upcoming 'Advances in Forensics & Toxicology' eSeminar this month. Simply register for the eSeminar to access the presentation.
About the presenter
Sabra Botch-Jones is a Forensic Toxicologist and Assistant Professor at Boston University School of Medicine’s Biomedical Forensic Sciences program. She is Course Director for Forensic Toxicology, Analysis of Controlled Substances and Instrumental Analysis. She conducts research in the areas of forensic toxicology and seized drug analysis. She began her career with the Federal Aviation Administration and was a Senior Forensic Toxicologist/ Quality Manager at the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office. She earned her Master of Science degrees in Drug Chemistry and Forensic Toxicology from the University of Florida and Bachelors and Masters of Arts in Criminal Justice(CJ) and CJ Management and Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma. Sabra has authored and co-authored 17 scientific articles. She serves on the Toxicology Subcommittee of the Organization for Scientific Area Committees and the Secretary of the Toxicology Consensus Body of the Academy Standards Board. Sabra is active in the National Safety Council’s Alcohol, Drugs and Impairment Division and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences’ Humanitarian and Human Rights Resource Center.
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