Journal of Forensic Research

Improved Image Analysis of DETECHIPÃ?â??Ã?® Allows for Increased Specificity in Drug Discrimination

Abstract

Andy Smith, Abby Jackson, Mark V Wilson, Mitch Trauernicht and Andrea E. Holmes

DETECHIP® is a novel molecular sensing array being developed for the detection and identification of a variety of compounds including controlled substances. This easy to use technology has the ability to produce a unique identifying binary code for each substance tested. Original analysis methodology relied on human vision to classify color and fluorescence changes within the array. New digital color image analysis techniques using Red-Green-Blue (RGB) color values provided a higher degree of specificity and greater consistency. This image analysis technique was able to detect more subtle changes in color and was therefore able to properly discriminate between substances that previously produced identical codes. This technique was also expanded to analyze changes in RGB color values individually, increasing the length of the code to 48 digits and therefore potentially providing a further increase in specificity. To show the applicability of this new method, a blind study was performed, correctly identifying two unknown analytes.