NCJ Number
226739
Journal
Problems of Forensic Sciences Volume: 76 Dated: 2008 Pages: 403-411
Date Published
2008
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study developed and applied a screening procedure for “date-rape” drugs in blood that involved a liquid chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer used in atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization mode (LC-APCI-MS).
Abstract
In spite of the differences in chemical structure of the analyzed compounds and their possibly low concentration ranges in the blood of rape victims, the LC-APCI-MS processing was able to screen for 42 compounds described as “rape pills.” Quantitative results can also be obtained by the proposed approach, but only after verification of the presence of the detected chemical by another method. The developed method was successfully applied to blood samples collected from victims and perpetrators of crimes, mainly rapes that were facilitated by the use of a pharmaceutical substance. Analyses were performed with the Agilent Technologies 1100 series liquid chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer used in APCI mode. Separation was conducted on a LiChroCART 125 x 4 column filled with Purospher RP-18e, which was thermostated at 25 degrees C. The mobile phase was composed of a solution of formic acid in acetonitrile (ACN) and water (0.1 percent v/v) flowing at 1 ml/min. Its composition changed in the following gradient conditions: 0 min--5 percent ACN; 20 min--60 percent ACN; 21 min--80 percent ACN; 23 min--80 percent ACN; 24 min--5 percent ACN; and 30 min--5 percent CAN. The injection volume was 20 ml. Parameters of the mass detector, which was operated in positive ionization mode, were as follows: fragmentor voltage--60 V; vaporizer temperature--325 degrees C; capillary voltage--4000 V; drying gas flow--41 min; drying gas temperature--320 degrees C; nebulizer pressure--30 psi; and corona current--4.0 mA. 2 tables, 1 figure, and 10 references