title: Vehicle-Mounted Portable Mass Spectrometry System for the Covert Detection via Spatial Analysis of Clandestine Methamphetamine Laboratories.
abstract: The ability to detect atmospheric effluent from clandestine methamphetamine manufacture is a useful tool for law enforcement. A membrane inlet mass spectrometer is mounted onto an all-electric drive capable hybrid vehicle that samples the atmosphere while in motion. Attributing a latitude and longitude to each spectrum collected, unique chemical fingerprints from clandestine manufacture are then mapped. This location-based mass spectrum data provides a localization to an area of interest. The synthesis of methamphetamine precursors was performed, and the impurities from such reactions were observed. A mock manufacture was setup, and the impurities were introduced into the atmosphere via heating. The detection of products and impurities using this mobile platform has shown the effectiveness of locating and localizing the manufacture of methamphetamine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas , Denton, Texas 76203, United States.
authors.forename: Phillip M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Mach
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas , Denton, Texas 76203, United States.
authors.forename: Ethan M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: McBride
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas , Denton, Texas 76203, United States.
authors.forename: Zachary J
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Sasiene
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas , Denton, Texas 76203, United States.
authors.forename: Katie R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Brigance
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas , Denton, Texas 76203, United States.
authors.forename: Shelia K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kennard
authors.affiliation: Inficon , Syracuse, New York 13057, United States.
authors.forename: Kenneth C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of North Texas , Denton, Texas 76203, United States.
authors.forename: Guido F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Verbeck
mesh_terms: D001272:Atmosphere / Q000737:chemistry; D000066479:Criminal Behavior; D007753:Laboratories; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000032:analysis*; D015394:Molecular Structure
chemical_list: D008694:Methamphetamine