News
Fentanyl Express: The Supply Chain & Deadly Chemistry
CFSRE Director Dr. Alex Krotulski and Senior Scientist Dr. Joshua DeBord worked with a team of journalists at Reuters who investigated the manufacture of fentanyl, from the synthesis and sale of precursors by companies in China to discussing the final products that eventually end up in communities across the country.
Drug-Impaired Driving: The Contribution of Emerging and Undertested Drugs
Impaired driving is often associated with alcohol use and frequently leads to accidents, injuries, and fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one person was killed every 39 minutes in an alcohol-related crash in 2021.[1] But alcohol is not the only concern; the use of illicit drugs, legalized drugs such as cannabis, and the abuse of prescription medications may also impair a driver’s abilities. In 2022, an estimated 13.6 million people drove under the influence of illicit drugs during the prior year.[2]
Inspiring the Next Generation of Forensic Scientists
In this insightful interview from ISHI 34, Leah Nangeroni of the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFRSE) delves into the nonprofit's mission to advance forensic science through research, education, and extensive outreach initiatives.
Detection of Xylazine in Whole Blood Samples Using High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry
In recent years, there has been a growing concern about the increasing use of xylazine as an adulterant in illicit drug mixtures. This rise in the prevalence of xylazine has also coincided with an uptick in overdose deaths. Originally designed for veterinary purposes as a tranquilizer and anesthetic, xylazine is not classified as a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act and is not approved for human use.
The Science Behind Seized Drug Analysis
Crime dramas have stood the test of time as one of the most popular TV show and movie genres, and many share one pivotal moment: a grizzled detective making their way down to the lab to meet with a forensic analyst who, with the help of some seemingly magical scientific tests, helps them crack their case. While those scientists may get just a moment of screentime, their work is often key to solving the mystery. But what does the job of a forensic scientist look like in the real world?
Lincoln University Awarded $400,000 NSF Grant
Lincoln University has been awarded a $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish an HBCU Undergraduate Center for Forensic Science. The goal of the center is to promote diversity in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) while providing students with the foundational skills necessary to excel in forensic science graduate programs and/or crime laboratories.
Fighting the Uphill War Against Illicit Drugs and Overdose Deaths: Detecting Emerging Designer Drugs and Opioid Analogs
The drugs flowing into the U.S. are changing more in their mix than in their amount, according to CFSRE’s NPS Discovery experts. “The nitazene analogs have replaced the fentanyl analogs,” Krotulski said, “but they are not replacing fentanyl itself. There is no indication that anything is replacing the amount of fentanyl across the country right now.”
CFSRE Secures New State-of-the-Art Facility
The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) was established in Willow Grove, Penn. at the nonprofit Fredric Rieders Family Foundation in 2010. The CFSRE provides training, education and research that advances the capability, acceptance, and integrity of forensic science as it informs public health and public safety policy and missions.
Naloxone Use in Novel Potent Opioid and Fentanyl Overdoses in Emergency Department Patients
Synthetic opioids, such as the fentanyl analogue and nitazene drug class, are among the fastest growing types of opioids being detected in patients in the emergency department (ED) with illicit opioid overdose (OD). However, clinical outcomes from OD of novel potent opioids (NPOs), specifically nitazenes, are unknown aside from small case series.
Delivering an Open-Access Drug Early Warning System for Novel Psychoactive Substances Case Study
The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education’s evidence-based approach to identifying emerging drugs delivers high impact data for real-time action with help from Waters analytical instrumentation and customer support services.
