Chapter 27 New developments in sampling and sample preparation for forensic analysis

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the application of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) for the analysis of forensic specimens including ignitable liquid residues, often referred to as accelerants, explosive traces, drugs and poisons from biological specimens and other forensic applications. Recently developed SPME methods including novel methods for the analysis of ignitable liquids on human skin, odor signatures, and several drug applications such as the analysis of free-fraction antipsychotic drugs levels and y-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) identification without the need for derivitization are presented in the chapter. It illustrates some applications of the SPME sampling and sample preparation strategy within the forensic sciences. The chapter discusses drug analysis for toxicology, bulk drug analysis, trace analysis including high explosives and ignitable liquids, and sampling from various matrices and a number of SPME sampling modes. SPME has proven to be an important sample preparation technique for the analysis of forensic specimens due to the many advantages the technique offers. SPME allows for multiple sampling, preservation of the sample and minimizes the risk of sample contamination. It is often faster than traditional techniques and can be readily automated.