Shimadzu journal Vol. 02 - Forensics / Toxicology

Význam tématu

Forensic and toxicological analyses are critical for public safety, clinical diagnostics and legal investigations. Assessing drugs of abuse, therapeutic agents, emerging designer drugs and contaminants in biological and environmental matrices enables physicians, forensic scientists and regulatory agencies to make informed decisions, solve criminal cases and protect consumers.

Cíle a přehled studie / článku

These articles and reports illustrate a range of recent developments in forensic/toxicology workflows and analytical instrumentation from Shimadzu and collaborating researchers:

• An interview with Prof. Pierre Marquet (University of Limoges) on implementing LC-MS/MS in clinical and forensic toxicology
• Development of a QuEChERS-based UHPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of opiates, amphetamines and cocaine in blood, plasma and urine
• Overview of modern cannabis testing applications, including potency, contaminants and personalized medicine trends
• Summaries of posters presented at ASMS 2014 and TIAFT 2014 on topics such as Solid-Phase Extraction, GC-MS/MS databases, micro-sample preparation and screening of designer drugs
• Announcements of new Shimadzu products: Smart Forensic GC-MS/MS database, Nexera-e 2D chromatography, iMScope TRIO imaging mass spectrometer and ICPE-9800 simultaneous ICP emission spectrometer

Použitá metodika a instrumentace

Key analytical techniques highlighted include:

• Triple quadrupole and Q-TOF LC-MS/MS with rapid polarity switching and scheduled MRM
• QuEChERS sample preparation for biofluids to streamline extraction and minimize carryover
• GC-MS/MS with integrated forensic libraries (scan/MRM/Product Ion modes)
• MALDI imaging of single hair for methamphetamine distribution
• Solid-Phase Extraction (online SPE) coupled to UHPLC-MS/MS
• 2D chromatography (LC×LC and GC×GC) for complex mixture separation
• High-spatial-resolution imaging MS with iMScope TRIO
• ICP emission spectrometry (ICPE-9800) with eco-mode and simultaneous multi-element detection
• Skyline software integration for SRM/MRM proteomics method design and data analysis

Hlavní výsledky a diskuse

Prof. Marquet’s laboratory successfully implemented Shimadzu triple quad systems (LCMS-8050) to replace multiple GC-MS platforms, reducing sample prep and run times while maintaining sensitivity. The QuEChERS–UHPLC-MS/MS method achieved baseline separation of isomeric stimulants and detection limits down to 5 µg/L, with no carryover after high-concentration samples. Cannabis testing workflows now include potency quantitation by HPLC, mycotoxin screening, pesticide/solvent residue analysis, microbial contamination assays and personalized oil formulations. Poster presentations demonstrated micro-volume drug screening, rapid 2D separations, trace genotoxic impurity quantitation and combinatorial GC-MS/MS databases for new psychoactive substances. Instrument news highlighted user-friendly designs, software automation (Smart Forensic Database and Smart MRM), award-winning ED-XRF ergonomics and advanced imaging and multi-element systems.

Přínosy a praktické využití metody

These methods and instruments enable forensic and clinical laboratories to:

• Rapidly screen and confirm drugs or poisons in biofluids for DUID, post-mortem or drug-facilitated assault cases
• Improve throughput and reduce manpower by minimizing manual cleanup and enabling automated MRM method creation
• Enhance cannabis quality control for medical and recreational markets by standardizing potency and contaminant testing
• Visualize drug incorporation in hair with high spatial resolution for retrospective use pattern analysis
• Deploy quantitative proteomics workflows in clinical chemistry applications via Skyline integration

Budoucí trendy a možnosti využití

Expected future directions include:

• Greater use of high-throughput 2D separations (dxLC, GC×GC) and imaging MS in routine forensic labs
• Standardization of cannabis testing protocols and regulatory harmonization for potency and safety analyses
• Expansion of forensic MS libraries for novel psychoactive substances and rapid on-site screening devices
• Integration of proteomics quantitation in biomarker validation using targeted MRM/PRM workflows
• Development of rapid, non-invasive screening (breath, saliva) for roadside drug detection

Závěr

The collected studies and application notes demonstrate how advances in sample preparation, mass spectrometry, chromatography and software are transforming forensic and toxicology laboratories. By combining high-sensitivity instruments, robust workflows and intelligent data processing, analysts can achieve faster, more reliable results for clinical, legal and public-health applications.

Reference

• Marquet P. et al. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic tools for immunosuppressant dosing. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2014.
• Dulaurent S. et al. QuEChERS–UHPLC–MS/MS for opiates, amphetamines and cocaine in biofluids. Shimadzu Application Note, 2014.
• Kuzdzal S. et al. Cannabis testing workflows for potency and contaminants. Shimadzu White Paper, 2014.
• Miki A. et al. MALDI imaging of methamphetamine in single hair. Forensic Toxicol. 2011.
• Shimadzu Corporation. Smart Forensic GC-MS/MS Database. Product Release, 2014.