Using Benchtop NMR to identify the unknown in forensic drug testing

摘要

Testing for illegal drugs is an ongoing battle.With approximately 100 new psychoactive substances(NPS)appearing at border checkpoints every year [1],the rapid detection and identification of these drugs is critical to prevent their widespread sale.In recent years,death rates from drugs have ramped up to more than 40,000 a year in the US alone [2].This'opioid epidemic'specifically refers to the growing number of deaths and hospitalisations from opioids including illicit drugs such as NPS,and drug overdose is now the leading cause of accidental death in the United States.This presents significant challenges to the authorities.The main issue here is that testing relies on matching substances to libraries of known substances.NPS,however,are developed to mimic drugs such as heroin and cannabis,and avoid detection through changing their molecular structure.This'camouflage'removes the possibility of forensics testing finding a match to the recognised drug.