Lecture
New applications for old techniques – rapid analysis of old and new drugs by mobile divices
- at -
- ICM Saal 5
- Type: Lecture
Lecture description
The drug market has been in a state of flux for several years: among the "usual suspects"
there have been changes such as declining heroin production, new smuggling variations
of cocaine, and many new precursor chemicals for synthetic drugs. Additionally, new
psychoactive substances (NPS) are on the market, mimicking the effects of already prohibited
narcotics, but often exhibiting different structural elements or complete structures,
making them legally available as research chemicals. These NPS are often far more
potent than the actual narcotics and extremely dangerous – not only for users and the
testing laboratory, but especially for the police officers who seize them, classify the substance
and package the substances for further forensic examination. Another source of
potential danger is seemingly harmless carrier materials that have been treated with
NPS, such as notepaper send as mail in correctional facilities.
Drug analysis has long been an integral part of forensic science. Thanks to advancements
in techniques such as near-infrared (NIR) and Raman spectroscopy, these devices
can now be made so small and compact that they can be used not only in laboratories,
but also by the police as mobile devices. These techniques can be used on sealed,
transparent containers, such as resealable bags without opening them. Thus minimises
the risk of intoxication from the substances contained within. Ion mobility spectrometry is
already being used to screen mail screening in correctional facilities.
To use the devices effectively, suitable databases are needed. These can only be expanded
with the help of forensic laboratories, since only these have access to the relevant
and novel samples. Correct interpretation of the results depends on the applicant
having the right skills and experience. This presentation provides an overview of the legal
situation regarding drugs in Germany, the creation of the databases and the validation
of the devices. Furthermore, this covers how mobile spectrometers are used by the police
in North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as the training of employees at the State Criminal
Police Office.
there have been changes such as declining heroin production, new smuggling variations
of cocaine, and many new precursor chemicals for synthetic drugs. Additionally, new
psychoactive substances (NPS) are on the market, mimicking the effects of already prohibited
narcotics, but often exhibiting different structural elements or complete structures,
making them legally available as research chemicals. These NPS are often far more
potent than the actual narcotics and extremely dangerous – not only for users and the
testing laboratory, but especially for the police officers who seize them, classify the substance
and package the substances for further forensic examination. Another source of
potential danger is seemingly harmless carrier materials that have been treated with
NPS, such as notepaper send as mail in correctional facilities.
Drug analysis has long been an integral part of forensic science. Thanks to advancements
in techniques such as near-infrared (NIR) and Raman spectroscopy, these devices
can now be made so small and compact that they can be used not only in laboratories,
but also by the police as mobile devices. These techniques can be used on sealed,
transparent containers, such as resealable bags without opening them. Thus minimises
the risk of intoxication from the substances contained within. Ion mobility spectrometry is
already being used to screen mail screening in correctional facilities.
To use the devices effectively, suitable databases are needed. These can only be expanded
with the help of forensic laboratories, since only these have access to the relevant
and novel samples. Correct interpretation of the results depends on the applicant
having the right skills and experience. This presentation provides an overview of the legal
situation regarding drugs in Germany, the creation of the databases and the validation
of the devices. Furthermore, this covers how mobile spectrometers are used by the police
in North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as the training of employees at the State Criminal
Police Office.
