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Oral or Poster Contributed Presentation

FORENS

FORENS05: Early Career Research in Forensics Sciences

Differentiation and Identification of Fentanyl Analogues Using Portable Mass Spectrometry

Monday, October 6, 2025
2:30 PM - 2:50 PM EDT
Location: Meeting Room #1
In fifteen words or less, explain the significance of this contribution (Novel Aspect).: Enhancing ion trap mass spectrometry for portable, accurate field detection of fentanyl and synthetic opioids.

Abstract Text:

The continually evolving and complex drug landscape presents a formidable challenge for first responders who need reliable tools for their detection and identification. Fentanyl is a commonly prescribed potent synthetic opioid analgesic which recently became a significant public health threat due to the illicit drug market. In 2023, overdose deaths exceeded 100,000 in the United States, with over 70% of those involving a synthetic opioid such as fentanyl or tramadol. These drugs are being transported to the United States across borders, and thus it has become a national priority to develop tools to help stop their proliferation. New portable technologies provide the best potential for addressing this problem, with a specific emphasis on identification of fentanyl and its analogs in the field. This research involves analyzing 250 synthetic opioids and related substances, including 210 fentanyl analogs, to build a comprehensive fentanyl detection library for a portable ion trap mass spectrometer (the 1st Detect Tracer 1000) designed for rapid identification of drugs and explosives. Ion trap mass spectrometers operate by using electrostatic and radio frequency fields to confine charged particles. This offers high sensitivity, resolution, and the ability to study ion-molecule reactions. After the fentanyl spectral library is built, its detection and identification accuracy will be evaluated using mixed samples and adjudicated case samples. This project aims to evaluate and ultimately improve the Tracer 1000’s capability to identify fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, and other synthetic opioids, thus supporting its use in high-security environments like airports and other border crossings.