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Drugs

Seized Drugs and Toxicology Research and Development; 2022 NIJ Forensic R&D Symposium

March 2022

The NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium is an open meeting where attendees can learn about NIJ-funded research across a variety of forensic science areas. This is one of four videos from the 2022 symposium, which was held March 1-2, 2022.

Presentations include - 

MDI Myth: Rapid Toxicology Screening Tools Can Replace Traditional

October 2024

This session busts the myth that new toxicology screening tools can fully replace traditional toxicology testing. The session discusses the appropriate integration of current rapid toxicology screening tools into MEC offices as a method of triaging cases, rather than a determination of toxicology related causes of deaths.

Evaluating a Statistical Method for Comparison of Mass Spectra of Novel Psychoactive Substance

July 2024

Identification of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) based on comparisons of electron-ionization (EI) mass spectra continues to pose challenges in seized drug analysis. In this webinar, a method to statistically compare EI mass spectra is described, and an application of the method to distinguish several structural and positional isomers of NPS analogs are demonstrated.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on July 25, 2024. 

Virtual Workshop Series: Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS) for Seized Drug Analysis

Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS) is a powerful analytical technique that allows for rapid detection and characterization of a wide range of compounds, including seized drugs. Over the last ten years, the DART- MS has slowly gained in popularity in crime labs due to its ability to provide rapid, reliable results with minimal samples preparation. Despite these advantages, DART-MS remains underutilized due to cost, data interpretation...

Improving Consistency in Forensic Reporting Through DEA’s GUARDS Comprehensive Methodology Compresse

December 2024

This workshop explores the impact inconsistent drug analysis reporting has on public health and public trust. The value and implementation of the Global Uniform Analysis and Reporting of Drug-Related Substances (GUARDS) innovative methodology in over 200 instruments across United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) laboratories are presented, as well as the efforts of other labs of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Illinois State Police.

Quantitative Analysis Method For Tetrahydrocannabinol Isomers

June 2024

Of recent, forensic toxicology laboratories have been grappling with the emergence of tetrahydrocannabinol isomers within biological specimens. Traditional methodologies are often inadequate in the separation of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol and Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol, which are the most common isomers identified in forensic testing.

Vaping in the Weeds: The Merging of the E-cigarette and Cannabis Industries

June 2023

This presentation describes the nature of the merge of the e-cigarette and cannabis industries. Quality assurance issues as a result of the absence of regulation and oversight is described. Cases of self-reported adverse events and the challenges of cannabis product analysis are also discussed.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on June 29, 2023. 

Development of Analytical Methods for Measuring Δ9 THC in Cannabis Products

June 2023

With the passage of the 2018 Agricultural Improvement Act (Farm Bill), forensic laboratories have been tasked with differentiating seized cannabis samples as either hemp or marijuana. The new legislation declassified hemp as a Schedule 1 drug substance and defined it as cannabis containing 0.3 % or less of decarboxylated-Δ9-THC (total Δ9-THC). The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has been working to help forensic laboratories with these challenging measurements through the development of extraction protocols and analytical methods.

Labeling with Love or Lethal Consequences for CBD Containing Products

March 2023

The reauthorization of hemp due to the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Farm Bill) has caused a proliferation of products that contain cannabidiol (CBD). While CBD is considered ‘legal’ under the Farm-Bill, there are concerns that the labeling of CBD products is inaccurate, and that the products may contain other cannabinoids, including Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound in marijuana. Other concerns include the potential for conversion of CBD to other cannabinoids during analysis of biological matrices and in acidic foods and beverages.

2025 NIJ Forensic Research and Development Symposium, Seized Drugs & Toxicology (Session 3)

February 2025

The Forensic Technology Center of Excellence assisted the National Institute of Justice in hosting the annual NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at the 77th Annual American Academy of Forensic Sciences meeting in Baltimore, Maryland. This video is one of five recorded sessions from the event. 

Presentations include -

Cannabinoid Conundrums Webinar Series Expert Panel

August 2023

As evident by the Cannabinoid Connundrums webinar series, the rapidly changing world of cannabinoids offers many conundrums. To tackle some of these questions, Dr. Ruth Winecker led a panel discussion with Dr. Ed Cone, Dr. Nathalie Desrosiers, Mr. Justin Poklis, and Mr. Nelson Santos. This diverse slate of thought leaders includes experts in analytical chemistry, forensic toxicology, clinical research, and drug chemistry. This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on August 3, 2023. 

Cannabinoid Pharmacology: Three Decades of Controlled Human Cannabinoid

August 2023

Controlled drug administration studies are valuable tools for acquiring a detailed understanding of the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profiles of cannabinoids. ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinoid (THC) is the primary psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis with the potential to negatively impact cognitive and psychomotor performance and workplace safety. These studies establish behavioral and subjective effect profiles while simultaneously collecting pharmacokinetics data.

All Is Not Pot That’s Green: An Overview of THC Isomers

June 2023

THC isomers, also known as THC analogs or semi-synthetic cannabinoids, are structurally related to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and have similar toxicity and impairing effects. A recent study indicated that Δ8-THC use was around 27% of marijuana use, based on detection and ratios of cannabinoid metabolites in workplace drug testing. Other analogs of interest include hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) and THC-O. THC isomers are generally perceived as legal and are also seen in states with legal marijuana.

Narcotic Concealment Methods in U.S. Customs and Border Protection

May 2022

Presenters provided an overview of some of the more unique concealment methods utilized by drug traffickers, as well as some of the sampling and extraction methods used to prepare these submissions for analyses. They also discussed trends associated with counterfeit tablets containing fentanyl seized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ National Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on May 26, 2022.

Things Are Not What They Seem A Collection of Interesting Case Studies

May 2022

With the rise of illicit fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, synthetic cathinones, xylazine, and other substances adulterating many traditional street drugs, users often have no idea what they are consuming, leading to overdose and death.  This further complicates toxicology testing and death determination.  This presentation will cover interesting postmortem case studies from Ohio, Denver, and Miami from the scene perspective through autopsy and toxicology testing.

Drug Use Impact on Native People in Minnesota

May 2022

This presentation will review substance use disorder treatment admissions and impacts on Native people residing in Minnesota. Special attention will be paid to geographic areas of the state impacted and specific illegal substances prominent with Native people in Minnesota using both treatment admission and overdose data.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on May 10, 2022.

Legalization of Marijuana: The Journey of Marijuana Laws in Colorado and Ohio

April 2022

This webinar will focus on the journey through medical marijuana and the decriminalization of hemp with legalization on the horizon in the state of Ohio. We will also focus on the impact that legalization has made in the state of Colorado over the past 10 years. The journey between these two states will demonstrate the challenges and needs for a shift in the analytical approach.

This webinar was hosted by the NIJ Forensic Technology Center of Excellence on April 5, 2022, as part of the ASCLD Train the Director Webinar Series.