The Forensic Laboratory Gas Chromatograph ‐‐ Infrared Detector (GC‐ IRD) Instrument Project

The New Mexico Department of Public Safety (NMDPS) is seeking $411,000.00 in federal funding from the 2023 Byrne Discretionary Community Project Funding/Byrne Discretionary Grants Program in support of the NMDPS Forensic Laboratory Gas Chromatograph - Infrared Detector (GC‐IRD) Instrument Project. The purpose of the project is to purchase three (3) gas chromatograph - infrared detector (GC-IRD) instruments. The instruments will be utilized in the Santa Fe Forensic Laboratory, Las Cruces Forensic Laboratory, and Hobbs Forensic Laboratory to strengthen the Forensic Drug Chemistry Unit's capabilities for analyzing unknown substances on evidence samples.  The GC-IRD instrument combines the separating power of the gas chromatograph with the molecular identification power of Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy.  The instrument will be used to better characterize illicit fentanyl tablet submissions, emerging drugs of abuse, and other chemical unknowns.