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Synthetic cannabinoids (SC) are extremely prevalent within the prison system and cause problems for prisoners, law enforcement and health services. SC are often soaked into paper then posted into prisons therefore one of the aims of this research is to collaborate with Rapiscan Systems Ltd. and local prisons in England to measure the effectiveness of trace detection methods for the indication of SC in prison post using the Itemiser 3E®. To ensure compounds did not go undetected, samples with Ion Trap Mobility Spectrometry™ peaks indicative of synthetic cannabinoids on the Itemiser 3E® were analysed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to identify chemical characteristics which allowed comparison to reference spectra. Sample data spanning three years from one prison's Itemiser 3E® were collated to identify trends in drug prevalence and the influence of library updates. To date, the method has identified four compounds: 5F‐MDMB‐PICA, MMB-4en-PICA, 4F‐MDMB‐BUTINACA and MDMB-4en-PINACA on prison post which were not already included on, or needed confirmatory analysis to update, the Itemiser 3E® library. As a result, the libraries on prison Itemiser 3E®s have been updated to ensure future detection of such compounds. Trends and influences from the processed Itemiser 3E® data were also reported back to the West Midlands Prison Group. This research directly benefitted both the West Midlands Prison Group and Rapiscan Systems Ltd. and it is anticipated that the continuation of this research could be expanded to a national scale. • Prisons submitted samples for confirmatory analysis after screening by Itemiser 3E®. • GC-MS, LC-MS and NMR identified synthetic cannabinoids in eight of the 47 samples. • 5F‐MDMB‐PICA, MMB-4en-PICA, 4F‐MDMB‐BUTINACA and MDMB-4en-PINACA were identified. • Confirmatory analysis aided the generation of Itemiser 3E® library definitions. • This demonstrates the importance of the screening, confirmation and feedback cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most important class of reagents for the enhancement of fingermarks on porous surfaces are those that react with the amino acid constituents of fingermarks. Ninhydrin, DFO (1,8-diazafluoren-9-one), and 1,2-indanedione are the three most common techniques widely known in forensic laboratories for the visualization of latent fingermarks on porous surfaces. In 2012 the Netherlands Forensic Institute replaced DFO by 1,2-indanedione-ZnCl after an internal validation, just like an increasing numbers of laboratories. In 2003, Gardner et al. published an article showing that fingermarks treated with 1,2-indanedione (without ZnCl), that were stored in daylight only decreased by 20% in fluorescence in 28 days. However, during casework we observed that the fluorescence of fingermarks treated with 1,2-indanedione with ZnCl decreased more rapidly. In this study, the effect of various storage conditions and aging times on the fluorescence of marks after treatment with 1,2-indanedione-ZnCl were assessed. Latent printed fingermarks from the digital matrix printer (DMP) and natural fingermarks from a known donor were used. The results showed that storing fingermarks in daylight (wrapped and un-wrapped) drastically decrease (over 60% loss) in fluorescence in approximately three weeks. Storage of the marks in a dark environment (at room temperature, in the refrigerator or even in the freezer) resulted in a decrease in fluorescence of less than 40%. Our recommendation is to always store treated fingermarks with 1,2-indanedione-ZnCl in a dark environment and, if possible, photographing them directly (within 1-2 days after treatment) to minimize the decrease of fluorescence., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest We wish to confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome. We confirm that the manuscript has been read and approved by all named authors and that there are no other persons who satisfied the criteria for authorship but are not listed. We further confirm that the order of authors listed in the manuscript has been approved by all of us. We confirm that we have given due consideration to the protection of intellectual property associated with this work and that there are no impediments to publication, including the timing of publication, with respect to intellectual property. In so doing we confirm that we have followed the regulations of our institutions concerning intellectual property. We understand that the Corresponding Author is the sole contact for the Editorial process (including Editorial Manager and direct communications with the office). He/she is responsible for communicating with the other authors about progress, submissions of revisions and final approval of proofs. We confirm that we have provided a current, correct email address which is accessible by the Corresponding Author., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

HFE-7100 is a routine carrier solvent in amino acid-sensitive fingermark detection reagents such as ninhydrin and 1,2-indanedione/zinc chloride (IND/Zn). However, a potential EU ban on hydrofluoroethers may require reformulation of these treatments worldwide. Solstice® PF has shown promise as a replacement for HFE-7100 in the United Kingdom. However, the performance (and hence optimal formulation) of IND/Zn is impacted by differences in climate and substrate composition, necessitating assessments under local conditions for different regions. We present a series of preliminary investigations in an Australian context, using the IND/Zn formulation used by Australian forensic service providers. The general performance of Solstice® PF-based IND/Zn was comparable to that using HFE-7100 on three substrate types, three ageing periods (1, 7 and 30 days) and 5 donors. However, slight differences in colour and luminescence intensity, as well as increased ink diffusion, suggest chemical interactions with other reagent components that may affect stability. Specifically, Solstice® PF-based reagent formed a precipitate within a month of storage, though this did not affect performance over a 4 month period. HFE-7100-based IND/Zn was found to be marginally more effective than Solstice® PF when applied to incidental fingermarks. These results indicate that Solstice® PF is a satisfactory alternative carrier solvent to HFE-7100 in an Australian context, though users should be aware of possible limitations regarding compatibility with other evidence components (particularly inks) and shelf-life., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)