Forensic analysis

In cooperation with the forensic science institutes we investigate biogenic and synthetic drugs by applying a variety of different analytical techniques among them capillary electrophoresis, non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis, micellar electrokinetic chromatography and isotachophoresis. Analyte detection is performed by coupling the electrophoretic separation techniques with mass spectrometry or native fluorescence detection after UV-laser excitation.

Biogenic drugs, plant materials applicable as starting materials for (semi)synthetic drugs and new psychoactive drugs are in the focus of our work. The determination of differences or similarities in the composition of active agents and additives exhibits the possibility to compare samples from different seizures and enables the development of profiling strategies. Chemometric data handling is included for data analysis.

The work with separation techniques is complemented by fluorescence detection in reflexion mode for the identification of counterfeit medicine.

Cooperations:

• Bundeskriminalamt, Wiesbaden
• Landeskriminalamt Rheinland-Pfalz

Publications:

1. Electromigrative separation techniques in forensic science: combining selectivity, sensitivity, and robustness
   T. N. Posch, M. Pütz, N. Martin, C. Huhn, Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 2015, 407, 23-58
2. Desulfurized fuels from Athabasca bitumen and their polycyclic aromatic sulfur heterocycles. Analysis based on capillary electrophoresis coupled with TOF MS
   T. Nolte, T. N. Posch, C. Huhn, J. T. Andersson, Energy Fuels 2013, 27, 97-107
3. Non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis – mass spectrometry: A versatile, straightforward tool for the analysis of alkaloids from psychoactive plant extracts
   T. N. Posch, N. Martin, M. Pütz, C. Huhn, Electrophoresis 2012, 33, 1557-1566
4. Forensic analysis of mesembrine alkaloids in sceletium tortuosum by nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis mass spectrometry
   J. Roscher, T. N. Posch, M. Pütz, C. Huhn, Electrophoresis 2012, 33, 1567-1570
5. Capillary electrophoresis - laser induced fluorescence – electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry: A case study
   C. Huhn, C. Neusüß, M. Pelzing, U. Pyell, J. Mannhardt, M. Pütz, Special issue on CE-MS, Electrophoresis 2005, 26, 1389–1397
6. Separation of very hydrophobic analytes by micellar electrokinetic chromatography I. Optimi­zation of the composi­tion of the sample solution for the determination of the aromatic ingredients of sassafras and other es­sential oils of forensic interest
   C. Huhn, M. Pütz, I. Holthausen, U. Pyell, Electrophoresis 2008, 29, 526-537
7. Determination of tryptamine derivatives in illicit synthetic drugs by capillary electrophoresis and UV-laser-induced fluorescence detection
   C. Huhn, M. Pütz, N. Martin, R. Dahlenburg, U. Pyell, Electrophoresis 2005, 26, 2391-2401
8. Sassafras oils as precursors for the production of synthetic drugs: Profiling via MEKC-UVD
   C. Huhn, M. Pütz, R. Dahlenburg, U. Pyell, Beiträge zum XIV. GTFCh-Symposium 2005, 198-207
9. Origin of MDMA and amphetamine precursors: Carbon-14 analysis of safrole, PMK, BMK
   M. Pütz, B. Herrmann, N. Martin, R. Dahlenburg, C. Huhn, U. Pyell, Beiträge zum XIV. GTFCh-Sym­posium 2005, 236-247
10. Bestimmung von beta-Carbolinalkaloiden und Tryptaminen in Ayahuasca und pflanzlichen Drogen mit MEKC-UV-LIF
    M. Pütz, C. Huhn, R. Dahlenburg, U. Pyell, Beiträge zum XIII. GTFCh-Sym­posium, 2003, 275-282