Citius, Altius, Fortius—Advanced Mass Spectrometry in Service of Forensic Analysis

Abstract

This review presents numerous studies in which mass spectrometry has been used to assist forensic investigation. Due to its unique capabilities, mainly high-resolution mass data and structural information, high sensitivity, and cooperation with separation techniques, this method provides access to many tools streamlining and accelerating sample analysis. Low analyte consumption, advanced derivatization procedures and availability of isotopically labeled standards offer opportunities to study materials previously not considered viable evidence, opening new avenues in forensic investigations.

Keywords

• forensic analysis
• falsified medicine
• derivatization
• Isotope-Ratio Mass Spectrometry
• hydrogen-deuterium exchange
• liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry