Krotulski AJ, Mata D, Gates M, Fogarty MF, Logan BK, Vikingsson S, Sofalvi S
American Academy of Forensic Science - 2021 Conference MeetingAccurate and timely identification of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are critical for forensic, clinical, public health, and public safety communities. In the past year, the emergence of new NPS benzodiazepines and NPS opioids have challenged the forensic science community, as these substances have been found among drugged driving, sexual assault, and death investigation casework. Most notably, flualprazolam emerged as a new NPS benzodiazepine and has since become the more prevalent substances in its class.
The NPS opioid landscape has not been the same since the core structure scheduling of fentanyl related substances. Fentanyl analogues are substances of the past and new drugs, like isotonitazene and brorphine, have become common names. These shifts in NPS markets – the cat and mouse games – have left laboratories scrambling to stay ahead of new substances with quick life cycles of just 3-6 months. While detection remaining an important issue, interpretation of NPS results can be equally as challenging. New NPS benzodiazepines and opioids emerge so quickly that there is often no scientific data about activity, potency, and toxicity. In addition, these two classes become exceedingly more challenging when found in combination, allowing for additive CNS depressive effects. Information sharing and discussion about emerging NPS results in essential for forensic scientists to remain aware of new trends, overall impact, and toxicological interpretation.
After attending this workshop, attendees will be able to understand methods for the detection of novel psychoactive substances (NPS), specifically benzodiazepines and opioids, describe methods for the analysis of case evidence for the determination of NPS present, and demonstrate manners for which data can be used to evaluate and interpret forensic case findings.
The presentations in this workshop will impact the forensic science community by providing up-to-date information on NPS benzodiazepine and NPS opioid detection and emergence. Presentations will cover a variety of topics, including emergence drug trends, pharmacology, analytical methods, case findings, interpretation, NPS combinations, and more.
This workshop will provide information related to the prevalence and distribution of NPS benzodiazepines and NPS opioids in the United States and interpretation of important results. Analytical method and tools for NPS detection in forensic chemistry and forensic toxicology will be discussed, along with timely results from analysis of casework specimens, primarily in biological fluids. Additional topics included in the program will focus on trends, history, and pharmacology of these important NPS classes, as well as methodologies for the compilation and distribution of data and findings.
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