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.
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 A | Category B | Category C |
| Structure | Selectivity | Presumptive |
|
|
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.
- 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
The Fort Wayne Police Department has deployed the Thermo Scientific TruNarc analyzer, giving law enforcement the opportunity to identify drugs like never before. Describing TruNarc as a game changer, Fort Wayne Police Sgt. Jonathan Bowers says the analyzer gives officers rapid information on "what's being shipped in, what's being sold, what's being bought, what's being seized and what people are addicted to right now.
Additional resources
Structural screening and confirmation analysis
 Nicolet iS 50 |  GC-MS |  GC Orbitrap | QE Focus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analysis methods | FTIR, Raman | Gas chrom., Mass spec. | Gas chrom., Mass spec. | Mass spec. |
| SWGDRUG categories | A: Structural | A: Structural B: Selectivity | A: Structural B: Selectivity | B: Selectivity |
| Unknown profiling & Retrospective screening |  | |  | |
| Sample preparation | Minimal | Moderate | Moderate | Minimal |
| Sample throughput | – | Low to medium | Low to medium | Medium to high |
| Cost | $ | $$ | $$$ | $$$ |
| Direct inject accessories | iTX ATR, GC-IR | DEP/DIP | – | DART |
Confirmatory & quantitation testing instruments
| Nicolet iS 50 | Triple Quadrupole Mass Spec | Q 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 Software | Tracefinder Software | |
|---|---|---|
| NIST spectral library | | |
| SWGDRUG spectral library | | |
| mzCloud spectral library | | |
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.
- 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
The Fort Wayne Police Department has deployed the Thermo Scientific TruNarc analyzer, giving law enforcement the opportunity to identify drugs like never before. Describing TruNarc as a game changer, Fort Wayne Police Sgt. Jonathan Bowers says the analyzer gives officers rapid information on "what's being shipped in, what's being sold, what's being bought, what's being seized and what people are addicted to right now.
Additional resources
Structural screening and confirmation analysis
Nicolet iS 50 | GC-MS | GC Orbitrap | QE Focus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analysis methods | FTIR, Raman | Gas chrom., Mass spec. | Gas chrom., Mass spec. | Mass spec. |
| SWGDRUG categories | A: Structural | A: Structural B: Selectivity | A: Structural B: Selectivity | B: Selectivity |
| Unknown profiling & Retrospective screening | | | | |
| Sample preparation | Minimal | Moderate | Moderate | Minimal |
| Sample throughput | – | Low to medium | Low to medium | Medium to high |
| Cost | $ | $$ | $$$ | $$$ |
| Direct inject accessories | iTX ATR, GC-IR | DEP/DIP | – | DART |
Confirmatory & quantitation testing instruments
| Nicolet iS 50 | Triple Quadrupole Mass Spec | Q 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 Software | Tracefinder Software | |
|---|---|---|
| NIST spectral library | | |
| SWGDRUG spectral library | | |
| mzCloud spectral library | | |
Learn how to quickly and easily process and report UV and MS data in one application.
Additional resources
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.
