ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews some of the findings of one of the first applications of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) to a criminal justice field setting. The methodology of the New Orleans IMS project was conceptually simple: the integration of IMS into the normal operation of the diversion program with as little modification of existing treatment and supervision protocols as possible. The IMS device was primarily designed to detect the presence of substances in the physical environment. Comparison by percentage positive across all test types supports the generalization that radioimmunoassay (RIA) of hair and generalized testing of multiple specimens by IMS reveal them to be more effective for cocaine detection than urinalysis with similar percentage profiles. Urinalysis is shown to be more effective in detecting THC than either IMS or RIA of hair but less effective at cocaine detection. Urinalysis appears to identify cannabinoid exposure more effectively than either hair or IMS particulate assays, but the differences in detection are not extreme.
