Synthetic Cathinones Identification

Detect emerging synthetic drugs with handheld Raman technology

Recent years have shown significant growth of street drugs collectively known as synthetic cathinones— also called "bath salts" or "plant food." They present a significant health crisis not only for their devastating physical effects but because they are difficult to identify. They are often intentionally mislabeled and include the claim "not for human consumption" to avoid prosecution. As quickly as a certain drug type or derivative is made illegal, modified substances make their way into the market to circumvent the new laws. These may only have small molecular differences, but they provide a continual challenge for the courts to stay ahead of the threat.

With illegal drug targets evolving so rapidly, traditional wet chemistry kits cannot keep pace with the constant influx of unknown substances. The Thermo Scientific TruNarc handheld analyzer is designed to identify numerous synthetic cathinones right at the scene, even those similar in appearance.

The TruNarc analyzer is the only portable instrument with a regularly updated library to quickly adapt to new designer drugs and emerging variations as they gain traction in the market. The library also includes key drugs of abuse, cuttings agents, and precursors to allow precise analysis of a range of substances. The analyzer leverages widely accepted Raman spectroscopy, a proven technology that excels at identifying liquids, gels, pastes, and light-colored solid materials, including tablets and the contents of capsules.

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When You Need to Know if the Threat Is Real

Learn about the advanced technology, planning tools, and instruments available to first responders, firefighters, law enforcement, military, and government agencies to aid in the detection of radioactive materials and the identification of chemicals, narcotics, and explosive threats. Includes grant information. Read A Practical Guide to Safety and Security Threat Detection Technology.

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