Controlled Substances

Reduce drug evidence backlogs

Controlled substances present law enforcement and criminal justice professionals with large quantities of drug evidence resulting in laboratory backlogs. Challenging new synthetic designer drugs require new analytical techniques and faster turn around time—and the ability to distinguish exact identity amongst multiple drugs. Thermo Fisher Scientific tools provide rapid and reliable analytical power for all stages of drug identification including field use, at point of need, and in the laboratory.

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SWGDRUG categories of analytical techniques

Analysis for controlled substances in forensic laboratories typically includes a variety of methods from presumptive testing to confirmatory analysis. Thermo Scientific offers highly sensitive solutions to help you perform your in-laboratory forensic analyses from rapid screening to accurate, high-quality confirmatory results.

SWGDRUG current guidelines (   Version 7.0, 2014 August 14) indicate "When using a Category A test at least one other A, B or C category shall be used. When Category A is not used, at least three validated techniques must be used—with at least 2 of 3 from Category B." Thermo Scientific supplies many of these analytical tools.

Our systems are designed to help eliminate sample backlog without risking quality and your integrity—while keeping you ahead of the next novel synthetic drug substance.

Category ACategory BCategory C
StructureSelectivityPresumptive

Controlled substance workflow

Our solutions are designed to integrate into your existing operations whether you need to optimize throughput or sensitivity, or build your lab of the future—from component to full workflow options.

Portable presumptive test

Offering in-field law enforcement representatives the accuracy and reliability of a narcotics lab anywhere they go. Narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens and analgesics are easily identified using lab-proven Raman spectroscopy. 

TruNarc™ Handheld Narcotics Analyzer
  • Single test, multiple narcotics
  • Easy to use; no user interpretation required
  • Broad analysis capability; including key DOA, common cutting agents, precursors and emerging synthetic threats
  • Non-destructive, non-contact sampling
  • Automated data storage and report generated

Additional resources

Structural screening and confirmation analysis

 
Nicolet iS 50

GC-MS

GC Orbitrap

QE Focus
Analysis methodsFTIR, RamanGas chrom., Mass spec.Gas chrom., Mass spec.Mass spec.
SWGDRUG categoriesA: StructuralA: Structural
B: Selectivity
A: Structural
B: Selectivity
B: Selectivity
Unknown profiling & Retrospective screening
Sample preparationMinimalModerateModerateMinimal
Sample throughputLow to mediumLow to mediumMedium to high
Cost$$$$$$$$$
Direct inject accessoriesiTX ATR, GC-IRDEP/DIPDART
Confirmatory and quantitation

Confirmatory & quantitation testing instruments

 Nicolet iS 50Triple Quadrupole Mass SpecQ Exactive Focus Mass Spec
Quantitation
Unknown profiling & Retrospective screening
Hook up to GC
Hook up to LC
Hook up to MS

Confirmatory & quantitation testing software

 Chromeleon CDS SoftwareTracefinder Software
NIST spectral library
SWGDRUG spectral library
mzCloud spectral library

Featured videos

Learn how to quickly and easily process and report UV and MS data in one application.


Additional resources

Portable presumptive test

Offering in-field law enforcement representatives the accuracy and reliability of a narcotics lab anywhere they go. Narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens and analgesics are easily identified using lab-proven Raman spectroscopy. 

TruNarc™ Handheld Narcotics Analyzer
  • Single test, multiple narcotics
  • Easy to use; no user interpretation required
  • Broad analysis capability; including key DOA, common cutting agents, precursors and emerging synthetic threats
  • Non-destructive, non-contact sampling
  • Automated data storage and report generated

Additional resources

Structural screening and confirmation analysis

 
Nicolet iS 50

GC-MS

GC Orbitrap

QE Focus
Analysis methodsFTIR, RamanGas chrom., Mass spec.Gas chrom., Mass spec.Mass spec.
SWGDRUG categoriesA: StructuralA: Structural
B: Selectivity
A: Structural
B: Selectivity
B: Selectivity
Unknown profiling & Retrospective screening
Sample preparationMinimalModerateModerateMinimal
Sample throughputLow to mediumLow to mediumMedium to high
Cost$$$$$$$$$
Direct inject accessoriesiTX ATR, GC-IRDEP/DIPDART
Confirmatory and quantitation

Confirmatory & quantitation testing instruments

 Nicolet iS 50Triple Quadrupole Mass SpecQ Exactive Focus Mass Spec
Quantitation
Unknown profiling & Retrospective screening
Hook up to GC
Hook up to LC
Hook up to MS

Confirmatory & quantitation testing software

 Chromeleon CDS SoftwareTracefinder Software
NIST spectral library
SWGDRUG spectral library
mzCloud spectral library

Featured videos

Learn how to quickly and easily process and report UV and MS data in one application.


Additional resources


Featured videos

The combination of the GC-IR Interface with our Thermo Scientific Nicolet Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers provides a high-performance, easy-to-use approach to separation and identification. This makes it an effective tool for analyzing multi-component organic samples. Add the separation capability GC to obtain superior sensitivity.


Learn how Dr. Giampietro Frison of the Laboratory of Environmental Hygiene and Forensic Toxicology (LIATF) addresses a growing number of police seizers using GC-MS and HRAM LC-MS.


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