Field‐portable detection of fentanyl and its analogs: A review

Abstract

The need to detect fentanyl and its analogs in the field is an important capability to help prevent unintentional exposure or overdose on these substances, which may result in death. Many portable methods historically used in the field by first responders and other field users to detect and identify other chemical substances, such as hazardous materials, have been applied to the detection and identification of these synthetic opioids. This paper describes field portable spectroscopic methods used for the detection and identification of fentanyl and its analogs. The methods described are automated colorimetric tests including lateral flow assays; vibrational spectroscopy (mid‐infrared and Raman); gas chromatography–mass spectrometry; ion mobility spectrometry, and high‐pressure mass spectrometry. In each case the background and key details of these technologies are outlined, followed by a discussion of the application of the technology in the field. Attention is paid to the analysis of complex mixtures and limits of detection, including the required spectral databases and algorithms used to interrogate these types of samples. There is also an emphasis on providing actionable information to the (likely) non‐scientist operators of these instruments in the field.

Beyond Fentanyl Test Strips: Investigating Other Urine Drug Test Strips for Drug Checking Applications

“…Drugs (cont'd) Cutting Agents & Diluents 2C-B (HCl) 1 Methadone 1 Acetaminophen 3 3,4-MDA 3 Methamphetamine 3 Aspirin 1a 3,4-MDMA 3 Metonitazene 1a Benzocaine 3a Acetyl Fentanyl (HCl) 1 Naloxone (HCl) 1 Caffeine 3 Alprazolam 1a…”

“…Phencyclidine (HCl) 1 Diphenhydramine (HCl) 3 Buprenorphine (HCl) 1 Phentermine 2*a Ephedrine (HCl) 3 Bupropion (HCl) 3 N-Piperidinyl Etonitazene Tramadol (HCl) 2* †a Lidocaine 3a Deschloroketamine (HCl) 1 U-47700 2* †a Medetomidine (HCl) 1 Diazepam 1a…”

“…There is a continued need for rapid, on-site drug detection technologies to support efforts across the public health, public safety, customs, and emergency medicine disciplines. While advanced analytical techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, ion mobility, and mass spectrometry, are routinely used by personnel in these fields [1] , there is also a need for non-technical, inexpensive tools that do not require electricity, gases, or interpretation of spectra. Color tests and lateral flow immunoassays have long filled this need [1] providing law enforcement [2] , harm reduction personnel [3] , and even emergency department nurses and doctors [4] capabilities to rapidly identify drugs in real-time.…”

LEGO Blocks as “Standard” Samples for Evaluation of Fluorescence Avoidance and Mitigation in Raman Spectroscopy

“…Progress is being made toward the development of handheld deep-UV excitation Raman instruments, 13,14 and some examples of street drug Raman spectra, acquired with both visible-and UV-excitation have recently been published. 15 In time-gating, fluorescence avoidance relies upon Raman scattering being instantaneous and fluorescence being delayed, depending on the fluorescence lifetime, from 200 ps to microseconds (or longer in the case of phosphorescence). [16][17][18][19][20] A laboratory instrument implementing this principle is commercially available, using a single-photon avalanche diode detector, [21][22][23] but not yet a portable or handheld instrument.…”

Introduction to the JFS Special Section on Fentanyl and its Analogs in Forensic Science

“…Consideration was also given to add articles to this JFS Special Section on Fentanyl on the clinical and addiction medicine aspect of the fentanyl epidemic; however, we ultimately decided those topics deserve to be a special section in a medical journal. and the other methods included are for their initial detection [9][10][11][12].…”