Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Forensic Chemical Analysis Of Synthetic Cathinones Using Portable Mass Spectrometric Instrumentation, Caitlin N. Cain

Undergraduate Research Posters

Forensic laboratories face issues with large backlogs on evidence needing to be analyzed is due to two reasons: budgeting issues and the emergence of designer drugs. Currently, forensic laboratory directors cite that there are a shortage of scientists to deal with the yearly increase in caseloads. Additionally, designer drugs like synthetic cathinones, commonly known as “bath salts,” have increased the backlog due to the changing chemical compositions and misidentification as other compounds. Therefore, the use of a portable mass spectrometer for on-site forensic chemical analysis of synthetic cathinones would reduce the backlog of suspected controlled substances in forensic chemistry laboratories. …