Novel psychoactive substances

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Gas chromatography with dual cold electron ionization mass spectrometry and vacuum ultraviolet detection for the analysis of phenylethylamine analogues

Journal

Forensic Chemistry

Date Published

December 2020

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical)

Recommended Scope for NPS Testing in the United States

Date Published

November 2025

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical)

New Psychoactive Substances in Wastewater from Rest Areas and Commercial Weigh Stations along Interstate Highways

Journal

Environmental Science & Technology

Date Published

November 2025

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical)

Detecting fentanyl analogs in counterfeit pharmaceuticals by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy using handheld Raman spectrometers

Journal

Forensic Science International

Date Published

October 2025

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical)

NPS Discovery Q3 2025 Trend Reports: NPS Benzodiazepines, NPS Opioids, NPS Stimulants &

Date Published

September 2025

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical)

Recommended Scope for NPS Testing in the United States

Date Published

2025

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Technical Assistance

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

July 2024

Series

2024 Cannabinoid Conundrum Webinar Series

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. 

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Identification and Health Risks of an Emerging Means of Drug Use in Correctional Facilities

Journal

JAMA Network Open

Date Published

December 2024

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical)

Library of Microcrystalline Tests of Psychoactive Substances

Date Published

June 2017

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical), Reference Material

NPS Discovery Q2 2025 TREND REPORTS: NPS Benzodiazepines, NPS Opioids, NPS Stimulants & Hallucinogens, and Synthetic Cannabinoids in the U.S.

Date Published

2025

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical)

Comparison of a comprehensive liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) screen in whole blood with conventional immunoassay-based techniques

Journal

Journal of Analytical Toxicology

Date Published

June 2025

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical)

Differentiation of the 1-(Methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-Piperazinopropanes and 1-(Methoxyphenyl)-2-Piperazinopropanones by GC-IRD and GC-MS

Journal

Forensic Science International

Date Published

February 2014

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical), Report (Grant Sponsored)

Cathinone stability in authentic urine specimens

Journal

Forensic Science International

Date Published

May 2018

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical), Report (Grant Sponsored), Report (Annual/Periodic), Program/Project Description

Detection of Synthetic Cathinones in Seized Drugs Using Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)

Journal

Forensic Chemistry

Date Published

December 2024

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical)

Improving Consistency in Forensic Reporting Through DEA's GUARDS Comprehensive Methodology

Event Dates

December 5, 2024, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm Eastern

Location

Online

Event Type

Webinar

Registration Status

Not Required

Expert Algorithm to Identify Seized Drugs from Tandem Mass Spectra

15PNIJ-24-GG-03856-RESS

Open

Funding First Awarded

2024

$399,300

Identification of ADB-5'Br-BINACA in Plant Material and Analytical Characterization Using GC-MS, LC-QTOF-MS, NMR and ATR-FTIR

Journal

Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis

Date Published

September 2024

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Novel Psychoactive Substance Discovery, Education, and Reporting Institute

15PNIJ-24-GK-00981-COAP

Open

Funding First Awarded

2024

$2,000,000

Advancing New Psychoactive Substance Detection by Performance Comparison of High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry Techniques

15PNIJ-24-GG-01569-RESS

Open

Funding First Awarded

2024

$119,881

What’s That Drug? Fast Screening of Seized Drugs

Date Published

August 2024

Agencies

NIJ

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical)

What’s That Drug? Fast Screening of Seized Drugs

Date Published

August 5, 2024

NIJ-funded scientists from West Virginia University develop quick, easy, and accurate drug tests.

Success Story: NIJ and The Virginia Department of Forensic Science Advancing Drug Analysis in Forensic Toxicology for Enhanced Judicial Outcomes

Date Published

July 2024

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical)

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

Event Dates

July 25, 2024, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Eastern

Location

Online

Event Type

Webinar

Registration Status

Not Required

Series

2024 Cannabinoid Conundrum Webinar Series

Evaluating Cross-reactivity of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) in Human Whole Blood by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

Journal

Journal of Analytical Toxicology

Date Published

March 2024

Agencies

NIJ-Sponsored

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical)

New Screening Method to Detect Drugs and Poisons Postmortem

Date Published

June 2024

Agencies

NIJ

Publication Type

Research (Applied/Empirical)