title: Desorption atmospheric pressure photoionization-mass spectrometry in routine analysis of confiscated drugs.
abstract: A comprehensive study was made, where desorption atmospheric pressure photoionization (DAPPI) was applied to the direct analysis of confiscated drugs and pharmaceuticals of various forms and matrices. The analyzed samples included herbal products [Catha edulis (khat), Psilocybe mushrooms, opium and Spice], designer drugs in tablet and powder form [e.g. meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP), 3-fluoromethamphetamine (3-FMA), methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and methylone], and anabolic steroids in oil and tablets. The analyses were performed with ion trap mass spectrometer in MS and MS(2) modes and the obtained spectra were compared with GC-MS results. Contamination of the mass spectrometer was avoided by careful adjustment of the distance of the sample from the mass spectrometer inlet. DAPPI proved to be a fast and specific analysis technique, which does not require any sample preparation, and which therefore suits well to this type of forensic analysis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, Helsinki 00014, Finland. tiina.kauppila@helsinki.fi
authors.forename: Tiina J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Kauppila
authors.forename: Anu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Flink
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haapala
authors.forename: Ulla-Maija
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Laakkonen
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aalberg
authors.forename: Raimo A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ketola
authors.forename: Risto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kostiainen