title: Application of air sampling and ion-mobility spectrometry to narcotics detection: a feasibility study.
abstract: A feasibility study of the application of air sampling and ion-mobility spectrometry (IMS) for detection of heroin and cocaine concealed in letter mail showed that a unique IMS signature is associated with each type of drug and that a number of IMS peaks can be used as markers for the presence of drugs. No false reading for cocaine or heroin resulted when innocent items were monitored. Near real-time performance with sampling and analysis times of less than 30 seconds was achieved for the simultaneous detection of cocaine and heroin. The method proved to be a reliable tool for the fast screening of suspect items. Preliminary tests also showed that the method has potential for use in detecting the drugs in suitcases and on people.
mesh_terms: D000388:Air / Q000032:analysis*; D003042:Cocaine / Q000032:analysis; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D003932:Heroin / Q000032:analysis; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000032:analysis; D009294:Narcotics / Q000032:analysis*; D013053:Spectrophotometry
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs; D009294:Narcotics; D003932:Heroin; D003042:Cocaine