The document describes a study using the Agilent 6230 TOF mass spectrometer to screen for 15 drugs listed in the UK Drug Driving Law in blood samples. An all-ions MS/MS method was developed that utilized in-source fragmentation and an accurate mass MS/MS library to identify compounds through fragment matching down to a limit of detection of 2ng/mL, meeting or exceeding the threshold limits in the law.

1. Targeted Screening for drugs of
abuse and prescription
medications listed on the UK Drug
Driving Law using the Agilent 6230
TOF
Application Note
Forensics and Toxicology
Authors
Judith Blessing Ngere
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
5500 Lakeside
Cheadle Royal Business Park
Stockport
SK8 3GR
Dr Gordon Ross
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
5500 Lakeside
Cheadle Royal Business Park
Stockport
SK8 3GR
Abstract
Historically, law enforcement authorities in the UK faced the challenge of proving
that a suspected drug-driving offender was too impaired to drive. A newly
implemented drug-driving law requires only proof that an offender was above the
threshold limit of any of the drugs listed for prosecution1. This application note
demonstrates the capabilities of the Agilent 6230 TOF to screen for illegal drugs of
abuse and prescription medications in blood. Fifteen of the compounds listed on
the drug driving law could be identified and quantified. An All-Ions MS/MS method
employing in-source fragmentation in combination with an accurate mass MS/MS
library allowed confirmation of compound identity via fragment matching. Using the
developed method, the limit of detection for each compound in both solvent and
serum was found to be 2ng/mL, which is equivalent to or below the threshold limits
stated in the law.