The TacticID®-1064 ST is a 1064 nm handheld Raman device developed for law enforcement, first responders, and customs and border protection agents to quickly identify unlawful goods like narcotics, explosives, and other suspicious materials.
The TacticID-1064 ST includes software and hardware specifically developed to measure materials through transparent and opaque containers. These through-barrier measures eliminate the need for active sampling of potentially harmful chemicals like fentanyl, resulting in safer operations and a shorter wait time for clear results.
The 1064 nm laser is also useful for examining fluorescent or impure materials. A Raman system with a 785 or 830 nm laser may produce fluorescence from these samples, which can overpower the Raman signal and render identification difficult. This article looks at some features of TacticID-1064 ST.
Experiment
The TacticID-1064 ST includes a See-Through (ST) mode scan capability, which enables users to detect compounds behind thick and opaque barriers using an ST sampling adaptor (Figure 1).
A hit quality index (HQI) is used to compare an unknown sample to a library spectrum. The HQI computation runs from 100 (best match) to zero (worst match). The system uses an automatic integration time. The laser power is adjustable, although it was set at 90% for these measurements. The number of hits is also adjustable.
Materials Tested:
- Fentanyl, a very dangerous opioid commonly mixed with heroin and other street narcotics.
- N-acetylanthranilic acid is a US DEA List I controlled drug precursor used to synthesize methaqualone. It is highly fluorescent at 785 nm.
- Caffeine is a stimulant commonly employed as a cutting agent in drug manufacture.
Containers:
- Manila envelopes
- Cushioned shipping packages
- High-density white polyethylene bottles
Figure 1. TacticID-1064 ST measuring a sample through a manila envelope with ST adapter. Image Credit: m-oem
Results
Fentanyl citrate powder was inserted in a tiny plastic bag inside a manila envelope and evaluated using the TacticID-1064 ST. Fentanyl citrate was successfully detected directly through the manila envelope, with an HQI of 85.0 (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Fentanyl match report for sample measured through manila envelope. Image Credit: m-oem
N-acetylanthranilic acid is a light brown chemical that is utilized in the production of methaqualone and mecloqualone, both Schedule I substances. As per the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), 10.4 metric tons of N-acetylanthranilic acid have been captured worldwide since 2000.
When examined with a 785 nm laser, the produced fluorescence completely drowns out the Raman signal (Figure 3, red trace), making Raman identification impossible.
The TacticID-1064 ST's 1064 nm laser produces no fluorescence (Figure 3, blue trace), but an excellent Raman spectrum can be recorded and compared to the spectral library.
Figure 3. Comparison of Raman spectra of N-acetylanthranilic acid with (a) 785 nm and (b) 1064 nm laser excitation. Image Credit: m-oem
The TacticID-1064 ST's ST mode was used for measuring N-acetylanthranilic acid in a white plastic (HDPE) bottle with an HQI of 92.2 (Figure 4).
Figure 4. TacticID-1064 ST measurement through HDPE bottle and match result for N-acetylanthranilic acid. Image Credit: m-oem
Caffeine in a white plastic container was put inside a white cushioned shipping carton for testing (Figure 5). In this scenario, caffeine must be identified on both the plastic and the cushioned box. The TacticID-1064 ST's ST mode successfully identified caffeine through the cushioned box and plastic bottle, with an HQI of 91.3.
Figure 5. Measurement of white HDPE bottle of caffeine inside white padded package. Image Credit: m-oem
Conclusion
The TacticID-1064 ST prioritizes operator safety, eliminating the requirement to actively sample from opaque packaging to identify illicit chemicals. The 1064 nm laser excitation eliminates fluorescence problems commonly associated with 785 nm Raman systems.
Configuration:
Image Credit: m-oem
Tactic ID-1064 ST
The TacticID®-1064 ST is a 1064 nm handheld Raman analyzer designed for quick field detection of explosives, drugs, and other questionable items.
The TacticID-1064 ST's see-through capability allows it to nondestructively analyze samples through opaque and transparent packaging. The sample threat level is prominently displayed so that emergency responders, safety personnel, law enforcement agencies, bomb squads, immigration and border security, and hazmat squads can act swiftly while minimizing sample contact.
The TacticID-1064 ST employs proven Raman spectroscopy in conjunction with patented STRaman® technology. It allows users to obtain real-time actionable detection of unknown chemicals, narcotics, pharmaceutical drugs, explosives, and a variety of other substances, even through opaque barriers, significantly lowering operational risks and response times.
The TacticID-1064 ST, which uses a 1064 nm laser excitation and an ST adapter for see-through applications, scans a large sample area and produces a fluorescence-free spectrum with no sample burning.
This allows users to detect dark and colored substances, tough street samples, inhomogeneous mixtures, and materials directly through packaging.
This IP68-rated device has a high-brightness display with a touchscreen and/or physical button interface, making it easy to use even while wearing protective gear.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by m-oem.
For more information on this source, please visit Metrohm.