Statistical Comparison of Mass Spectra for Identification of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants

The identification of controlled substances is considered by the National Academy of Sciences to be a mature forensic science discipline with strong scientific underpinning [1]. To achieve this identification, samples submitted to forensic laboratories are typically analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and the mass spectrum is compared to a suitable reference spectrum. The latter spectrum may be a known standard analyzed on the same instrument as the submitted sample or it may be the top result from a library database search.

Source: Forensic Science International - November 21, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Melissa A. Bodnar Willard, Victoria L. McGuffin, Ruth Waddell Smith Source Type: research