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was asked to provide presentations and our list of publications to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and to U.S. Department of the Navy, which is evaluating whether 5 This resource was prepared by the author(s) using Federal funds provided by the U.S. Department of Justice. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. or not to ban e-cigarettes on submarines. So, while the impact on the criminal justice system is evolving, significant implications exist in other forums. Design Methods and Results The following aims and experiments were identified within the proposal. Within each, specific experimental goals and results are described. In addition to pursuing these aims, we also monitor the current state of e-cigarette usage, messaging in the media, and legislation and regulation. Goal: The goal was to identify information and resources to assist ongoing research to understand the forensic impact and implications of e-cigarettes. Information gleaned in the process of this study will assist decision-making regarding criminal justice and public education. • Modifications and adulterations to electronic cigarettes and e-liquids, including illicit drug delivery, are described and promulgated by experienced users through videos, social media, and user blogs. • All fifty states have developed policy in at least one of these five areas: sales to minors, defining e-cigarettes as tobacco products, bans on use in public, taxes, or other regulations. • Media has reported deaths due to e-liquid consumption. • Over the course of the 2+ year project, drug forum conversations evolved rapidly to discuss modifications and adulterations to e-cigarettes and e-liquids. o Recent conversations have included drugs such as Kratom (mitragynine), synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic opioids, and blue lotus (apomorphine and nuciferine) o Natural products in addition to illicit substances continue in the threads. o New e-cigarettes models emerged for the specific use of waxes, dabs, and dry natural products. o Modifications to the atomizers, mostly with regards to coil configurations, escalated as e-cigs became more technologically advanced. o Users continued to advocate regularly, despite prohibitions to public vaping, that the ease of transporting illicit substances and vaping illicit substances in public was a bonus for adopting the method. • After the FDA banned the sale of products, websites had to stand-up a screening process to make sure that people were >18 years old. We monitored the complexity of this and have been challenged by more reputable websites who have questioned the identity of the purchaser. Since the credit card had the university address, the vendor was unable to “confirm” identity and age of the purchaser. Vendors with questionable e-liquid products have had no problem with the disconnect between the address of the credit card and our identity. While there is no way to know without further investigation, the difference between the two types of vendors has been observed. • An evaluation of historical patents was performed to create a timeline of e-cigarettes and their mechanisms for operation, particularly as their construction evolves. Aim 1 Develop reliable, validated analytical methods to support the efficient and thorough analysis of e-cigarette devices, device components, and aerosol for pharmaceuticals in adulterated, unadulterated, and self-prepared formulations. 6 This resource was prepared by the author(s) using Federal funds provided by the U.S. Department of Justice. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Experiment 1. Develop method for capturing vapor product from electronic cigarettes by water trap and solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME). Experiment 2. Develop validated method for the qualitative assessment of electronic cigarettes artifacts using Direct Analysis in Real Time Accu-TOFTM Mass Spectrometry (DART). A quantitative method will also be assessed. Goal: To develop a simple trap to analyze the aerosol from e-cigarettes. Results: A simple trap was developed and validated to analyze aerosol via SPME and to trap ingredients/drugs in water. Erlenmeyer flasks were connected to a vacuum with tubing and glass wool filters in between for capture. Corks were drilled to accommodate the tubing attached to the e-cigarette and a septum for the SPME sampling (Figure 1). Briefly, two Erlenmeyer flasks were connected in tandem to a vacuum with a flow rate of 2.3 L/min. DI-water was added to each trap and a gas dispersion tube bubbled the aerosol into the water. Glass wool was placed in between the two traps to contain the aerosol in the first trap.