Interpol review of controlled substances 2016–2019

Abstract

This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature in controlled substances from 2016 to 2019 as a part of the 19th Interpol International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. The review papers are also available at the Interpol website at: https://www.interpol.int/content/download/14458/file/Interpol%20Review%20Papers%202019.pdf.

Prefacing remarks

• •With the exception of synthetic cannabinoids and cannabimimetics, all references are subdivided by individual drug, drug group/class, or general topic, then chronologically (year only) within each subsection, then alphabetically by first author within each year. Synthetic cannabinoids and cannabimimetics are in a separate category (1.D), and are subdivided as individual compounds, groups of compounds, and finally as groups with other drugs.
• •Many citations included in this report are dated prior to June of 2016, because they had not yet been abstracted prior to the 2016 report.
• •All citations are formatted in accordance with Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals.
• •No restricted articles are cited in this report.

1. Routine and improved analyses of abused substances

Improved methods of analysis, i.e., faster, more discriminatory, more sensitive, less costly, etc., are needed for all abused substances. Additionally, standard analytical data are required for previously unknown or rarely encountered substances and/or new “designer drugs.”

Drug seizures and clandestine laboratory operations are continuously monitored to provide a comprehensive overview of new developments. Ongoing research in the forensic community, as well as in the general fields of analytical chemistry and toxicology, provide new and/or improved methods of analysis for abused substances. Reports providing standard analytical data for new drugs of abuse and/or improved analytical protocols for known drugs of abuse are generated for the forensic and enforcement communities.

1.1. Individual compounds or substances (except individual synthetic cannabinoids and cannabimimetics, which are compiled under 1.D)

Alprazolam: 2016 adverse effects from counterfeit Alprazolam tablets [1]; Bromazepam and Alprazolam determination by CV and PV in pharmaceutical tablets Lexauring and Xanax [2]; 2017 microextraction method based on ultrasound-assisted surfactant-enhanced emulsification and solidification procedure with HPLC for quantification of alprazolam and chlordiazepoxide [3]; detection of alprazolam with a lab on paper economical device integrated with urchin like Ag@ Pd shell nano-hybrids [4], PLS-LS-SVM based modeling of ATR-IR for detection and qualification of alprazolam [5], stability of Alprazolam, Atropine Sulfate, Glutamine, Levofloxacin, Metoprolol Tartrate, Nitrofurantoin, Ondansetron Hydrochloride, Oxandrolone, Pregabaline, and Riboflavin in oral suspensions [6]; Triazolaminoquinoline, 5-chloro-(5-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl) benzophenone, triazolbenzophenone, and a-hydroxyalprazolam were identified as degradation products of Alprazolam by fluorescence spectroscopy and HPLC-MS [7].

2-Amino-1-(4-bromo-2, 5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethan-1-one (bk-2C–B): 2018 Identification of pyrolysis products of the new psychoactive substance 2-amino-1-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethanone hydrochloride (bk-2C–B) and its iodo analogue bk-2C–I [8].

Amphetamine: 2016 Determination of 1-phenyl-2-propanone (P2P) by HS-GC/MS in a material sold as “wet amphetamine” [9]; Amphetamine and derivatives in natural weight loss pills and dietary supplements by CE-MS/MS [10]; 2017 [11]; Accelerated quantification of amphetamine enantiomers using chiral liquid chromatography and on-line column-switching coupled with tandem mass spectrometry [12]; Identification of specific markers for amphetamine synthesized from the pre-precursor APAAN following the Leuckart route and retrospective search for APAAN markers in profiling databases from Germany and the Netherlands [13]; new approaches to gather information about the clandestine production of Amphetamine [14]; ‘APAAN in the neck’ - a reflection on some novel impurities found in seized materials containing amphetamine in Ireland during routine forensic analysis [15]; impurity profiling of the byproducts of the APAAN to P2P and AMS to P2P amphetamine synthesis to differentiate the synthesis route [16]; monitoring of the amphetamine-like substances in dietary supplements by LC-PDA and LC-MS/MS [17]; amphetamine and derivatives by DART- DMS [18]; investigation of the interaction of amphetamine with the pristine, B, Al, Ga (group IIIA), Si, and Ge (IIV group) doped C-60 fullerenes for use as sensors for amphetamine drug detection [19]; 2018 development of amphetamine-ion-selective microelectrodes using electrochemical polymerization and microfabrication technologies [20]; high-performance ion-selective microelectrode for the detection of amphetamine [21]; characterization of aqueous waste produced during the clandestine production of amphetamine by SPE GC-MS following the spectrometry and CE with contactless conductivity detection [22]; adsorption of amphetamine on BC3 nanosheet and nanotube for drug detection [23]; identification of specific markers for amphetamine synthesized from the pre-precursor APAAN following the Leuckart route and retrospective search for APAAN markers in profiling databases from Germany and the Netherlands using mass spectra, high resolution MS and NMR data [24]; impact of different storage conditions on the stability of amphetamine impurity profiles [25]; 2019 resin for enantio-selective extraction of R-amphetamine [26].

Butylone: 2018 Structure determination of butylone (NPS) using chiroptical and vibrational spectroscopies [27].

Carfentanil 2017 LC-MS/MS analytical method for the detection and quantification of carfentanil [28];

Cocaine: 2016 Thin layer chromatography coupled to paper spray ionization mass spectrometry for cocaine and its adulterants [29]; Electrochemical fingerprint of street samples for fast on-site screening of cocaine in seized drug powders [30]; Carbon nanotube beta-cyclodextrin-modified electrode for quantification of cocaine in seized street samples [31]; Analysis of Cocaine Using a Chemically Modified Electrode with Vanadium Hexacyanoferrate film by Cyclic Voltammetry [32]; Cocaine and benzoylecgonine on-site screening and confirmation [33]; A survey of adulterants used to cut cocaine in samples seized in the Espirito Santo State by GC-MS allied to chemometric tools [34]; automated fast screening method for Cocaine identification in seized drug samples using a portable Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) [35]; analysis of cocaine/crack biomarkers by LC-MS [36]; Levamisole-adulterated cocaine (two fatal case reports) [37,38]; Cocaine classification using alkaloid and residual solvent profiling [39]; method development and validation for determination of Cocaine, its main metabolites and pyrolytic products by HPLC-UV-CAD [40]; voltammetric determination of cocaine using carbon screen printed electrodes chemically modified with Uranyl Schiff base films [41]; a label-free photoelectrochemical cocaine aptasensor based on an electropolymerized ruthenium-intercalator complex [42]; novel fluorescent aptasensor based on hairpin structure of complementary strand of aptamer and nanoparticles as a signal amplification approach for ultrasensitive detection of cocaine [43]; synthesis and characterization of novel molecularly imprinted polymer - coated Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots for specific fluorescent recognition of cocaine [44]; silica nanoparticle-based chemiluminescence biosensor for cocaine determination [45]; Selective determination of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in environmental samples by newly developed sorbent materials [46]; Cocaine and benzoylecgonine in drinking and source water [47]; Improvement of Electrochemical Response of Cocaine Sensors Based on DNA Aptamer by Heat Treatment [48]; novel electrochemical aptasensor for ultrasensitive detection of cocaine [49]; detection of Cocaine using Gravure Printed Silver Nanoparticle Based SERS Substrate [50]; electrochemical nanoaptasensor based on AuNPs for ultrasensitive determination of cocaine [51]; aptasensor for voltammetric and impedimetric determination of cocaine based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with platinum nanoparticles and using rutin as a redox probe [52]; removal of benzoylecgonine in water matrices by UV254/H2O2 process by using a flow microcapillary film array photoreactor [53]; specificity and ligand affinities of the Cocaine aptamer [54]; method for the determination of cocaine, cocaethylene and norcocaine using liquid phase microextraction and GC-MS [55]; direct quantitative analysis of cocaine by thin layer chromatography and quantification using a mobile phone application to process the multivariate calibration [56]; immunodetection of cocaine on banknotes [57]; combination of analysis of trace cocaine alkaloids, stable isotopes, and multivariate statistical analyses to classify illicit cocaine as originating from one of 19 growing regions within South America [58]; 2017 screening for cocaine on Euro banknotes by a highly sensitive enzyme immunoassay [59]; distribution of cocaine on banknotes in England and Wales [60]; double fluorescence assay via a beta-cyclodextrin containing conjugated polymer as a biomimetic material for cocaine sensing [61]; quantitative LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of cocaine and its metabolites [62]; extraction method using magnetic carbon nanotubes to analyze cocaine and benzoylecgonine by GC-MS [63]; rapid classification and quantification of cocaine in seized powders with ATR-FTIR and chemometrics [64]; portable electrochemical method for cocaine quantification and rapid screening of common adulterants in seized samples [65]; competitive ‘pseudo’-ELISA assay for measurement of cocaine and its metabolites using molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles [66]; aptamer folding-based sensory platform decorated with nanoparticles for simple cocaine testing [67]; lateral flow assay combined with a smartphone application for detection of cocaine [68]; diagnostic test for cocaine and benzoylecgonine using portable mass spectrometry [69]; review of adulterants identified in cocaine sold on the street [70]; ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry for cocaine profiling [71]; profiling of illicit cocaine seized in China by ICP-MS for 26 inorganic elements [72]; direct fluorescence anisotropy assay for cocaine using tetramethylrhodamine-labeled aptamer [73]; isotopic fractionation of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen during illicit production of cocaine base in South America [74]; analysis of cocaine and adulterating agents [75]; cocaine profiling by ATR-FTIR [76]; 2D gold nanoparticles film for cocaine detection using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) [77]; chemometrics applied to chemical profiles of Cocaine seizures [78]; LC-MS/MS dilute and shoot assay for benzoylecgonine with a LOQ of 5 ng/mL [79]; Cocaine classification method [80]; variation in chemical profiles within large seizures of cocaine bricks utilizing GC-MS and headspace GC-MS [81]; batch Variation within seizure Cocaine bricks (case study) [82]; quantification of cocaine in ternary mixtures using partial least squares regression applied to Raman and FTIR spectroscopy [83]; two methods to increase the signal/noise ratio for identification the cocaine and EBE by GC-MS [84]; aptamer-based nanopore biosensor method for cocaine detection [85]; electrochemically-reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) modified electrodes for the square-wave voltammetric detection of cocaine and adulterants paracetamol, caffeine and levamisole [86]; rapid analysis of cocaine and metabolites using microextraction in packed sorbent and GC-MS [87]; paper spray ionization mass spectrometry using the Dragendorff reagent for detection of cocaine, evamisole, lidocaine, caffeine, and phenacetin [88]; analysis of the interaction between the cocaine-binding aptamer using fluorescence spectroscopy [89]; potentiometric sensor based on molecularly imprinted nanoparticles for cocaine detection in concentrations between 1 nM and 1 mM [90]; Cocaine determination by IMS using molecular imprinting with LOD of 18mugL(-1) [91]; highly sensitive electrochemical aptasensor for detecting Cocaine [92]; presence of cocaine on circulating banknotes between 1974 and 2017 (a review) [93,94]; development of a new field-test procedure for cocaine [95]; profiling of cocaine seizures using GC-MS peak ratios [96]; magnetic lateral flow strip (MLFS) method for quantitative detection of cocaine in the linear detection range of 5–500 ng/mL [97]; magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction for the detection of cocaine and cocaine metabolites by HPLC-MS with LOD of 0.09–1.10 ng/mL [98]; 2018 changes in illicit cocaine hydrochloride processing identified and revealed through multivariate analysis of cocaine signature data [99]; micro-HPLC-UV analysis of cocaine and adulterants in seized cocaine samples (2012 to 2017) [100]; external reference H-1 qNMR method for the determination of three major alkaloids -cocaine, cis-cinnamoylcocaine and trans-cinnamoylcocaine -in high purity cocaine seizures as applied to a set of 26 cocaine samples seized by the Brazilian Federal Police [101]; method for determination of the concentrations of cocaine, adulterants and diluents in cocaine samples employing Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) associated with Multivariate Curve Resolution with Alternating Least-Squares (MCR-ALS) [102]; analysis of 5 large cocaine seizures simultaneously with GC-MS, GC-FID and a portable FTIR spectrometer using ATR sampling combined with SVM models for sampling and fast analysis of large cocaine seizures [103]; comparison of portable IR spectrometers, portable Raman spectrometers, and color-based field tests for the on-scene analysis of cocaine [104]; sensor for cocaine detection in street samples [105]; multiple reactions monitoring to increase the signal/noise ratio in mass spectrometry analysis of cocaine and ethylbenzoylecgonine [106]; aptamer-based evanescent wave fibre (EWF) biosensor to rapidly detect cocaine in a wide working range [107]; ultrasensitive analyte detection by combining nanoparticle-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates with multivariate analysis for detection of cocaine in water [108]; method to quantify cocaine and adulterants (lidocaine, caffeine, phenacetin, procaine and benzocaine) using NMR spectroscopy without the use of deuterated solvents (No-D qNMR) [109]; MALDI-MS profiling and imaging for the analysis of fingermarks deposited on polymer banknotes (determination of ridge detail and detection of cocaine) [110]; HPTLC method for the simultaneous discrimination and quantification of cocaine and levamisole in seized samples [111]; micro-HPLC method for quantification of cocaine and its most common adulterants in seized samples [100]; Raman method for quantifying cocaine using atropine as the model analogue in various types of textiles [112]; characterization of cocaine in illicit drug samples by 1D and 2D NMR [113]; holographic sensor for the detection of cocaine [114]; 2019 determination of cutting agents in seized cocaine samples using GC-MS, GC-TMS and LC-MS/MS [115]; deconvolution procedure for levamisole determination in seized cocaine samples using screen-printed carbon electrodes and Square-wave voltammetry [116]; sensor for trace analysis of cocaine in water and body fluids [117]; analytical method for the separation and detection of cocaine and its adulterants, or cutting agents, using microchip electrophoresis devices [118].

Clobazam (7-chloro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-1,5-dihydro¬benzo [1,4]diazepine-2,4-dione): 2017 Potential impurities in clobazam: Identification, synthesis and characterization using HPLC, LC-ESI/MSn and NMR [119,120];

Codeine: 2016 Small study on spiking beer with preparations of codeine and acetaminophen to determine possible indications in drug-facilitated sexual assault [121] 2017 enantioselective synthesis of (−)-codeine [122]; 2018 synthesis of 1-Iodo-substituted Codeine derivatives [123]; synthesis of (−)-Codeine by application of temporary thio derivatization [124]; 2019 sensor for detection of codeine [125].

Cyclopropylfentanyl: 2018 analytical challenges of cyclopropylfentanyl and crotonylfentany (using HPLC-DAD, LC-MS/MS and LC-QToF-MS) [126]; 2019 synthesis, characterization and differentiation of cyclopropylfentanyl from E-crotonylfentanyl, Z-crotonylfentanyl, and 3-butenylfentanyl using NMR, GC-MS and FTIR [127].

Deschloroketamine (2-Methylamino2-phenylcyclohexanone): 2017 X-ray powder diffraction data, unit-cell parameters, and space group data for (S)-Deschloroketamine hydrochloride [128].

Desomorphine (“Krokodil”): 2016 identification of a complex mixture of opioids on krokodil street-like samples [129]; article presents the case of a user of krokodil and reviews the clinical symptoms of oral ingestion [130]; 2017 overview of krokodil’s chemistry, pharmacology, metabolism, toxicology and analysis including dentification and quantification of desomorphine, contaminants and metabolites [131]; trace-Level Screening using DESI-MS and PSI-MS are implemented on a portable mass spectrometer for the direct analysis of desomorphine and precursor reagent codeine from multiple substrates of potential relevance to clandestine drug laboratory synthesis and paraphernalia seizure [132]; krokodil profiling conducted by RP-HPLC-DAD and LC-ESI-IT-Orbitrap-MS and desomorphine, codeine, and morphine, profiling with HRMS data [133]; cross-reactivity of desomorphine using six commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays [134];

Diazepam: 2016 Investigation of the solubility of diazepam in water plus tert-butyl alcohol solvent mixtures over temperature range [135]; voltammetric determination of diazepam using a bismuth modified pencil graphite electrode (BiPPGE) [136]; Direct-EI interface with LC-MS/MS in the fast determination of diazepam and flunitrazepam in alcoholic beverages [137]; determination of chlordiazepoxide and diazepam drugs using dispersive nanomaterial-ultrasound assisted microextraction followed by HPLC [138]; 2017 multivariate curve resolution - alternating least squares (MCR-ALS) analysis was used to quantify diazepam in thirty commercial liquid formulations reaching a relative error below of 1.66% against 2.56% [139]; rapid detection of Diazepam injection based on a droplet surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) [140]; preferential solvation parameters of diazepam in binary solvent mixtures [141]; compatibility study between diazepam and tablet excipients investigated by thermal analysis (DSC and TG) and IR-spectroscopy [142]; Lab on paper chip integrated with silica coated gold nanorods (Si@GNRs) for electroanalysis of diazepam [143]; electrochemical determination of diazepam in real samples (commercial tablet, urine, and serum) based on fullerene-functionalized carbon nanotubes/ionic liquid nanocomposite [144]; FIA-based TELISA biosensing strategy to rapidly detect diazepam in beverages [145]; 2018 flow injection system for differential pulse amperometry (DPA) for diazepam determination [146]; UV/Vis spectrophotometric method was developed and validated for estimation of diazepam in tablet dosage form [147]; differential pulse adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry using a hanging mercury drop electrode was used for the determination of diazepam and clonazepam [148]; development of a glassy carbon electrode for the voltammetric detection of diazepam [149]; 2019 determination of chlorinated byproducts of diazepam using SPE-LC-EI-MS/MS [150].

3,4-Dichloro-N-[2-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl]-N-methylbenzamide (U-47700): 2016 analysis of powder for U-47700 performed using liquid-liquid extraction and UPLC-MS/MS in multiple reaction monitoring mode [151]; U-47700 obtained online [152]; 2017 review summarizing U-47700 chemistry, synthesis, pharmacology, toxicology and metabolism, as well as its international legal status [153]; review of U-47700 [154];

Diltiazem: 2016 A ternary hybrid matrix to prolong the release [155]; 2017 dissolution profiles of two diltiazem hydrochloride tablet formulations [156]; stability indicating HPLC method to determine diltiazem hydrochloride in tablets and compounded capsules [157]; 2019 voltammetric method for determination of diltiazem [158].

4,4′-Dimethylaminorex (4,4′-DMAR), “Serotoni”): 2017 website fora investigation documenting discussion of routes of administration and doses; desired effects; adverse effects; comparison with other drugs; association with other drugs; medications self-administered to reverse 4,4-DMAR action; overall impression; and provision of harm-reduction advice, etc. [159]; validated, sensitive HPLC-MS/MS method for quantification [160];

1,3-Dimethylamylamine (DMAA): 2017 review of available evidence on the harms of DMAA in relation to scheduling [161].

N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT): 2018 review [162].

Eszopiclone: 2016 Determination and correlation of solubility and thermodynamic properties in pure and mixed solvents [163]; 2018 CPE-MABE extraction and analytical measurement using UV–Visible, HPLC and MS for detection of Eszopiclone [164];

Ethylone (3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-ethylcathinone): 2016 Identification, characterization and polymorphism of two conformational polymorphs of ethylone hydrochloride by FTIR, FT-Raman, powder XRD, GC-MS, ESI-MS/MS and NMR (C-13 CPMAS, H-1, 13C) [165]; 2018 Chemometric determination of ethylone in seized samples by DPV and SWV and validated by HPLC-DAD [166].

1-(4-ethylphenyl-)-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl] propane-2-amine (4-EA-NBOMe): 2018 LC-HR-MS/MS method for identification of the phase I and II metabolites of 4-EA-NBOMe [167].

Fenethylline (Captagon): 2016 Review of fenethylline including chemistry, synthesis, pharmacology and toxicology, legislation, prevalence and use as drug of abuse, analysis in biological or seized samples and reported Captagon-related cases and seizures [168]; 2017 technique to detect and quantify Captagon in waste water to aide in locating clandestine laboratories [169];

Fentanyl: 2016,160 distinct compounds were identified using GC/MS and LC-MS/MS-TOF in conjunction ICPMS to classify 87 route specific chemical attribution signatures (CAS) associated with the synthesis of fentanyl to determine origin [170]; counterfeit medications and Fentanyl [171]; 2017 Emergence of fentanyls on the Swedish NPS market [172]; establishing a surveillance study for early detection of fentanyl-laced heroin in Australia [173]; efforts to interrupt and suppress fentanyl supply result in evermore compact substitutes [174]; source attribution of fentanyl through impurity and stable isotope and trace element profiling [175]; signature profiling of illicit fentanyl and fentanyl-related seizures for tactical and strategic intelligence [176]; 2018 analysis of Fentanyl and 18 novel Fentanyl analogues and metabolites by LC-MS/MS [177]; overview of fentanyl [178]; fentanyls and the safety of first responders [179]; overview [180]; 2019 differentiation of 65 fentanyl and related substances, including various types of positional isomers, using low-field (62 MHz) H-1 NMR [181]; electrochemical sensor strip for analysis of Fentanyl [182]; validation of cross-reactivity of nine fentanyl analogues (2-fluorofentanyl, acetylfentanyl, acrylfentanyl, carfentanil, cyclopropylfentanyl, tetrahydrofuranylfentanyl, furanylfentanyl, ocfentanil, valerylfentanyl with the fentanyl ELISA kit [183];

Flubromazolam: 2016 Flubromazolam case report [184].

Flunitrazepam: 2016 magnetic graphene framework (MGF) as a magnetic solid-phase extraction adsorbent for the preconcentration of flunitrazepam from beverage samples prior to high resolution mass spectrometric [185]; 2017 Portable Raman spectroscopy for the detection of the flunitrazepam in spiked beverages [186];

4-fluorobutyrfentanyl: 2017 identification and analytical characterization of a new fentanyl derivative, 4-fluorobutyrfentanyl (4-FBF), in seized powder and in the e-cigarette liquid [187];

Heroin: 2016 protocol for isolating B. anthracis and other bacteria applied to 82 samples of un-cut heroin [188]; 2017 GC-FID method using nicotinamide as an internal standard for the quantitation of heroin in drug seizures [189]; characterization of N,O(8)-diacetyl-O(14)-desmethyl-epi-porphyroxine (the C compound) and N-acetyl-O(14)-desmethyl-epi-porphyroxine (the B compound) to provide a forensic signature to determine region of origin [190]; 87sr/86sr Isotopic analysis of Heroin-HCL to differentiate Mexican and South American Heroin [191]; determination of strontium isotope ratio (Sr-87/Sr-86) values by MC-ICP-MS [192]; 2018 a new way to consider fluctuations in heroin purity, mass and potential contribution to overdose [193]; method to extract opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) DNA from heroin samples for determining the source of an unknown heroin sample [194]; SPE-GC-MS method to identify heroin in adulterated beverage [195];

Human Growth Hormone (HGH) (and related substances): 2016 size-exclusion chromatographic method for the separation of the hGH somatropin from its high-molecular-weight aggregates [196]; 2017 cation exchange IEC-HPLC method to separate five position isomers of rhGH [197]; analysis of availability and quality of illegitimate somatropin products on the internet; somatropin content was determined using capillary electrophoresis with UV detection and ESI-MS [198]; 2018 review [199]; 2019 LC-HRMS/MS method for identification of a novel growth hormone releasing peptide (a glycine analogue of GHRP-2) in a seized injection vial [200].

Hydromorphone: 2018 Evaluation of the relative abuse of an OROS extended-release Hydromorphone HCI product [201];

Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB) (also gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL), 1,4- Butanediol (BD), and Tetrahydrofuran (THF)): 2016 Electro-oxidation of GHB using chronoamperometry and spectroelectrochemistry [202]; effect of temperature on the electro-oxidation of GHB analyzed by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and SERS Spectroelectrochemistry [203]; 2017 study of endogenous GHB in a variety of drinks analyzed by GC-MS/MS [204]; method for simultaneous quantitative analysis of BHB and GHB by GC-MS [205]; real-time detection method for GHB using a iridium(III) chemosensor to produce luminescence signal that can be observed under UV illumination [206]; 2019 electrooxidation of GHB and ethanol by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry [207]; detection of isomers of gamma-hydroxybutyrate using LC-ESI-MS/MS [208]; sensor for the detection of tetrahydrofuran in vapor form [209]; investigation of the formation, structure, and stability of Tetrahydrofuran [210].

Ibogaine: 2016 Quantification of Ibogaine and Voacangine in plants via GC-FID [211]; 2018 review [212].

2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25I–NBOMe): 2017 Analytical confirmation of 25I–NBOMe using LC-ESI-MS/MS [213];

Ketamine: 2016 A review of the pattern of illegal use, regulations and analytical methods to detect ketamine [214]; review of ketamine abuse and diversion [215]; 2017 colorimetric sensor detection of ketamine in illicit drug samples with comparison to levels detected with FTIR-ATR and LC [216], a review of the nonmedical use and regulatory control of ketamine [217], Enantioseparation of (RS)-Ketamine using RP-HPLC [218]; false positive ketamine immunoassay caused by quetiapine [219]; history of ketamine and psychedelics [220]; 2018 electrochemical sensor for determination of ketamine [221]; review of chromatographic methods for ketamine and its metabolites norketamine and dehydronorketamine [222].

Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate (LDX): 2016 Development, validation and comparison of two new stability-indicating liquid chromatographic methods using two detectors, an ultraviolet (UV) and a charged aerosol detector (CAD) simultaneously connected in series for the assessment of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate in capsules [223]; 2018 structurally characterized via LC-ESI-QTOF [224]; review including chemistry and pharmacology [225]; stability of LDX and identification of degradation product by NMR (1 H NMR, 13 C NMR, HSQC and HMBC) [226].

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD): 2016 characterization of 1P-LSD in comparison with LSD using various chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods, IR and NMR [227]; 2017 analytical characterization of powdered AL-LAD and LSZ tartrate samples and their semi-quantitative determination on blotter paper by NMR, GC-MS, low and high mass accuracy electrospray MS/MS, HPLC-DAD and GC solid-state IR analysis [228] development and validation of a microflow liquid chromatography (MFLC) tandem mass spectrometry method for the validated quantification of LSD, iso-LSD, 2-oxo 3-hydroxy-LSD (oxo-HO-LSD), and N-desmethyl-LSD (nor-LSD) [229]; self-reported patterns of use and effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) analogues (AL-LAD, 1P-LSD, and ETH-LAD) [230]; 2018 development and validation of a LC-MS/MS method for the quantification of LSD, iso-LSD, 2-oxo-3-hydroxy LSD (O–H-LSD), and nor-LSD [231].

Lysergic Acid Morpholide (LSM-775): 2018 analytical profile and pharmacological effects of LSM-775 [232].

Mephedrone (4-Methylmethcathinone): 2016 protocol to detect mephedrone via anthracene probe and NMR [233], 2017 GC-MS method for detection and quantification of mephedrone [234]; review of mephedrone including detection methods [235], comparison of different analytical methods (GC-MS, UHPLC-DAD, LC-MS/MS), to distinguish mephedrone and isomers (3-MMC, 2-MMC, buphedrone, metamfepramone and ethcathinone) [236]; 2018 sensor to detect mephedrone [237].

Metaphedrone (3-Methylmethcaathinone): 2019 review [238].

Methamphetamine: 2016 fluorescent film for detecting n-methamphetamine in vapor with a detection limit of 5.5 ppb [239], analysis of impurities in methamphetamine using a liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) method and analysis by GC-FID [240]; electrochemiluminescence for the direct detection of methylamphetamine and other amphetamine type stimulants in street samples and biological matrices without the need for pretreatment or extraction [241]; capillary microextraction for sampling of methamphetamine vapor at clandestine laboratories [242]; method to estimate the consumption and prevalence of methamphetamine based on wastewater analysis [243]; impurity characterization of seized methamphetamine crystals by GC-MS [244]; visual detection of methamphetamine and MDMA in the low micromolar range using gold nanoparticles as a colorimetric probe [245]; optimization of an electrochemical method to detect methamphetamine [246]; estimation of the synthetic routes of seized methamphetamines using GC-MS and multivariate analysis [247]; G-quadruplex-hemin DNAzyme molecular beacon probe for the detection of methamphetamine [248]; improved chiral separation of Methamphetamine enantiomers Using CSP-LC-MS/MS [249]; 2017 benchtop NMR for the analysis of samples from suspected clandestine laboratories [250]; impurity profiling of methamphetamine synthesized from clandestine methylamine [251]; remediating interior building surfaces contaminated by methamphetamine [252]; mobile application with evidence-based information on crystal methamphetamine [253]; airborne methamphetamine sampling using capillary microextraction [254]; chiral supercritical fluid chromatography method for differentiation of methamphetamine enantiomers in forensic samples [255]; mathematical separation instead of conventional chromatographic approaches to resolve trace impurities embedded in the methamphetamine peak [256]; isolation and characterization of trans-N-methyl-4-methyl-5-phenyl-4-penten-2-amine hydrochloride, trace processing impurity found in some methamphetamine samples [257]; fluorescence and chemiluminescence procedures for methamphetamine determination [258]; 2018 developed a simple and effective physical characteristic profiling method for Methamphetamine tablets with capital letter WY logos, which realized the discrimination between linked and unlinked tablet seizures from 2011 to 2015 in China, indicating the existence of a huge clandestine factory incessantly manufacturing methamphetamine tablets [259]; a dilute-and-shoot UHPLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous identification and quantitation of 23 organic manufacturing impurities in illicit methamphetamine [260]; a complete synthesis of methamphetamine and analysis of the final product by both GC-MS and ESI-MS to identify impurities [261]; synthesis of a new extraction medium based on a deep eutectic solvent comprising choline chloride and phenylethanol followed by HPLC-UV analysis for the detection of methamphetamine in complex matrices [262]; fluorometric aptasensor for methamphetamine based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer using cobalt oxyhydroxide nanosheets and carbon dots [263]; pH assisted homogeneous liquid-liquid microextraction followed by GC-MS for determination of methamphetamine [264]; adsorption of methamphetamine on Ag nanoparticles dispersed in agarose gel for the detection of methamphetamine in fingerprints by SERS [265]; electrochemical detection method for screening of methamphetamine in the forensic samples using electrochemiluminescence and voltammetric techniques [266]; aptamer-modified carbon nanomaterial based sorption coupled to paper spray IMS for determination of methamphetamine [267]; C-13 and N-15 values of 30 nature ephedra plants, 12 synthetic ephedrine/pseudoephedrine (ephedrine), 14 natural ephedrine, and 987 seized methamphetamine samples were measured to determine the application for methamphetamine profiling [268]; isotope ratio-MS (IRMS) as a profiling tool for methylamphetamine [269]; UHPLC-MS/MS for the detection and quantitation of organic impurities in methamphetamine for profiling [260]; structure identification of a diphenhydramine-related impurity in methamphetamine using ESI-CID-MS and NMR [270]; C-13 and N-15 stable isotope analyses of the 30 nature ephedra plants, 12 synthetic ephedrine/pseudoephedrine (ephedrine), 14 natural ephedrine, and 987 seized methamphetamine for profiling [268]; 2019 impurity analysis of methamphetamine and its precursors by supercritical fluid chromatography-MS/MS [271];

Methaqualone: 2018 Palladium-catalyzed four-component carbonylative synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted quinazolin-4(3H)-ones: methaqualone preparation [272].

Methcathinone: 2018 Simultaneous enantioseparation of methcathinone and two isomeric methylmethcathinones using CE [273]; diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) to simultaneously measure methcathinone and ephedrine in surface water [274]; 2019 Ephedrone (methcathinone) hydrochloride and its fundamental derivatives N-acetylephedrine and N-acetylephedrone were analyzed by GC-MS, NMR, IR and Raman spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography [275].

Methoxetamine (MXE): 2016 salting-out-assisted liquid-liquid extraction and analysis by LC-MS [276]; report on the motivations for use, effect profile and prevalence of use of Methoxetamine [277]; review of methoxetamine case reports [278]; 2017 Synthesis of methoxetamine, its metabolites and deuterium labeled analog as analytical standards analyzed and separated using HPLC and chiral capillary electrophoresis [279]; X-ray powder diffraction data for MXE-HCL [280]; 2018 X-ray powder diffraction data for MXE-HCL [281];

2-Methoxydiphenidine (2-MXP): 2016 analytical characterization of three suspected 2-MXP powdered samples obtained from three Internet retailers in the United Kingdom and analyzed by GC and HPLC coupled to various forms of MS, NMR, IR and TLC to differentiate synthesis routes [282]; 2018 UHPLC-UV separation of the regioisomers of MXP [283].

3-Methoxy-2-(methylamino)-1-(4-methylphenyl)propan-1-one (Mexedrone): 2017 Synthesis and analytical characterization of mexedrone and the differentiation from its isomer, N-methoxymephedrone [284];

4-[1-(3-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexyl]morpholine (3-MeO-PCMo): 2018 Synthesis, analytical and characterizations of the “legal high’ 3-MeO-PCMo and analogues [285];

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA): 2016 High-resolution magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy for enantiomer discrimination of MDMA [286]; MALDI-QqQ-MS/MS detection of MDMA [287]; library search-based screening system MDMA in ecstasy tablets using a portable near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer [288]; detection and quantification of MDMA and PMA simultaneously through an electrochemical voltammetric technique using screen-printed graphite electrodes (SPEs) [289]; synthesis and characterization of MDMA derived from a catalytic oxidation of material isolated from black pepper characterized by GC-MS to give a contaminant profile of the synthetic pathway and route specific impurities [290]; current aspects of MDMA use in France [291]; development of a library search-based screening system for MDMA in ecstasy tablets using a portable near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer [292]; overview of the history of MDMA in the United States, 1960–1979 [293]; assignment of batch membership of 3,4-methylenedioxy methylamphetamine hydrochloride by comparison of organic impurity profiles reported as similarity measures (Pearson correlation coefficient, reported as the modified Pearson distance, and its Fisher transform) between impurity content of pairs of samples manufactured using four common reductive amination routes [294]; 2017 Identification and characterization of N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-MDMA: a new MDMA precursor; using a combination of NMR, GC-MS, IR spectroscopy, and synthesis [295]; a new methodology that involves coupling HF-LPME and fiber-spray to improve the limit of detection after microextraction by 360-fold for MDMA achieving a limit of detection of 2 ng/mL [296]; Mesoporous silica nanoparticles used for the selective and sensitive fluorogenic detection of MDMA [297]; analysis of data collected from the colorimetric analysis of 529 Molly and Ecstasy pills for MDMA by the pill-testing organization, DanceSafe, from events across the United States from 2010 to 2015 [298]; 2018 review [299]; SERS detection of “difficult” aromatic targets such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine with unmodified aggregated Au colloids [300];

Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV): 2016 GC-MS and GC-IRD studies on aminoketone designer drugs related to MDPV [301]; drug concentrations of MDPV in driver specimens [302]; 2017 combination of GC-MS, MS/MS and GC-IR techniques were used to characterize the ring substitution pattern, the alkyl side-chain and the cyclic tertiary amine portions of a series of six homologous and regioisomeric methylenedioxyphenyl-aminoketones related to MDPV [303];

β-Methylphenylethylamine (BMPEA): 2016 LC-QTOF analysis of Acacia rigidula dietary supplements run in triplicate for detection of the presence of BMPEA and confirmed by accurate mass, retention time and mass spectra match against a reference standard [304]; 2017 study to determine whether dietary supplements contained amphetamine and amphetamine-like substance, including beta-phenylethylamine (beta-PEA) and BMPEA using LC-PDA and LC-MS/MS [305];

Mianserin (a psychoactive tetracyclic antidepressant): 2016 selective micro-electromembrane extractions (mu-EMEs) of the colored indicators metanil yellow and congo red (visual proof-of-principle) and the small drug substances nortriptyline, papaverine, mianserin, and citalopram(model analytes) based on their acid-base strength [306]; MALDI- QTOF- MS method for the analysis of six tricyclic antidepressants (ADs) and their related drugs, such as amitriptyline, carbamazepine, clomipramine, imipramine, nortriptyline, quetiapine, and two tetracyclic ADs, mianserin and mirtazapine, because these eight drugs are commonly observed medicines in poisoning cases in Japan [307]; 2017 chemometric evaluation of the combined effect of temperature, pressure, and co-solvent fractions on the chiral separation of basic pharmaceuticals (alprenolol, atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol, clenbuterol, and mianserin) using SFC [308]; development of hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-ESI/MS/MS method for the determination of olopatadine in tear matrix using Mianserin hydrochloride as an internal standard [309]; synthesis and characterization of tetrabutylammonium and tetramethylammonium amino acid salts (chiral anions: 1-leucine, 1-proline, 1-histidine) to investigate their effect on chiral separations of ondansetron, mianserin, and ofloxacin using CE [310].

Midazolam: 2016 chemical characterization of the photodegradation products of midazolam complexes with randomly methylated-beta-cyclodextrin by HPLC and LC-MS/MS [311]; 2018 molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) nanoparticles were used as recognition elements for development of a new electrochemical sensor for selective and sensitive determination of midazolam [312];

Morphine: 2016 A voltammetric sensor for determination of paracetamol in the presence of morphine [313]; a short cascade strategy for the stereoselective synthesis of morphine [314]; extraction of morphine from poppy seeds [315]; HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of morphine sulfate and naltrexone hydrochloride content in bulk, solid dosage forms [316]; life cycle assessment from opium poppy farming to the packaging of morphine [317]; LC-HRMS for the characterization of transformation products and comparison between irradiated samples and those that have not been irradiated [318]; determination of Morphine in pharmaceutical products by on-line SPE-HPLC [319]; 2017 solid state vibrational spectroscopic properties of morphine sulfate pentahydrate studied using FTIR-ATR [320]; review of the research progress on the synthesis of Morphine alkaloids [321]; Impurity profiling of morphine by LC-HESI-MS [322]; design and synthesis of carboxylic group functionalized hollow microporous organic capsules for encapsulation of morphine for prolonged release [323]; characterization of Morphine, Morphine Hydrochloride, and their Hydrates using 1-dimensional and 2-dimensional solid-state NMR and complemented with powder X-ray diffraction, FTIR, and Raman [324]; one-pot multicomponent approach to synthesize a new series of morphine derivatives [325]; high-performance thin-layer chromatography-densitometry method for the quantitative analysis of morphine in the tablets of the Ayurvedic medicines [326]; tandem Brook rearrangement/silicon Polonovski reaction/fragmentation to give formamide derivatives in moderate yields [327]; asymmetric total synthesis of (−)-morphine [328]; stability studies of opioid analgesic, morphine-6-O-sulfate in various buffers and biological matrices and analyzed by HPLC-DAD analysis [329]; Quantum dots (QDs)-labeled antibody fluorescence immunoassays (FLISA) for the rapid detection of morphine for on-site screening of poppy shell added illegally in hot pot soup base [330]; rapid construction of the 6/6/5 tricyclic framework via a tandem radical cyclization reaction [331]; Arymo ER - a new abuse deterrent Morphine formulation [332]; ALERRT((R)) to quantitative measure the effort required to compromise prescription opioid abuse-deterrent tablets [333]; comparison of the abuse potential of intact and manipulated morphine abuse-deterrent, extended-release injection-molded tablets (morphine-ADER-IMT) with morphine sulfate ER tablets [334]; compare abuse potential after insufflation of manipulated morphine abuse-deterrent, extended-release injection-molded tablets (morphine-ADER-IMT) with that of marketed morphine ER tablets [335]; synthesis of morphinans using a programmed serial stereochemical relay [336] 2018 novel electrochemical sensor fabricated by embedding ZnO nano particles on MWCNT for morphine detection in the linear range of 0.1 to 700 mu mol L-1 and in the detection limit of 0.06 mu mol L-1 (3s) [337]; synthesis of morphine analogue using the Wagner-Jauregg reaction [338]; asymmetric synthesis of morphine and (nor)hasubanan alkaloids from (+)-Stephadiamine, an unusual alkaloid isolated from the vine Stephania japonica [339]; compatibility and stability of several mixtures of haloperidol and morphine in solution [340]; optical nanosensor for measurement and detection of morphine using CdS quantum dots (CdS-QDs) [341]; method for fluorometric determination of morphine via its effect on the quenching of fluorescein by gold nanoparticles through a surface energy transfer process [342]; characterization of the absorption profile of morphine after manipulation of morphine sulfate extended-release tablets with or without abuse-deterrent properties [343]; use of smartphones for quantitative chemiluminescence detection of morphine as a model analyte on a TLC plate [344]; magnetic carbon nanotubes were synthesized and applied as nanoadsorbent for the simultaneous solid phase extraction of codeine and morphine prior to analysis by HPLC [345]; effect of anodic treatment of titanium/tetrahedral amorphous carbon electrodes on the electrochemical detection of morphine and paracetamol [346]; synthesis, characterization and application of magnetic carbon nanotubes for the simultaneous SPE- HPLC determination of codeine and morphine in opium and tablet samples [345]; 2019 an optical nanosensor for the detection and measurement of morphine [347]; fluorescent nanosensor for morphine detection [348]; electrode modification to determine morphine [349];

Oxycodone: 2016 evaluation of the susceptibility to tampering of biphasic immediate-release oxycodone/acetaminophen tablets compared with IR OC/APAP tablets [350]; evaluation of trends of diversion, abuse and street price of OxyContin to assess the durability of the initial reduction in abuse of abuse deterrent formulations [351]; 2017 Long-term efficacy and safety of oxycodone-naloxone prolonged-release formulation (up to 180/90 mg daily) [352]; design and evaluation of an extended-release matrix tablet formulation (oxycodone); the combination of hypromellose acetate succinate and hydroxypropylcellulose [353]; abuse potential of Oxycodone DETERx (R) (Xtampza (R) ER) [354]; development and characterization of a mucoadhesive sublingual formulation (oxycodone film) [355]; evaluation of a newly-developed oxycodone prolonged-release tablet [356]; 2018 Roxybond - abuse-deterrent formulation of immediate-release Oxycodone [357]; study of the introduction of an abuse-deterrent version of OxyContin in 2010 [358]; trends and uptake of new formulations of controlled-release oxycodone in Canada [359]; abuse-deterrent formulations of Oxycodone hydrochloride immediate-release analgesic for managing severe pain [360]; evaluation of the impact of OxyContin reformulation [361]; effect of a potentially tamper-resistant oxycodone formulation on opioid use and harm [362]; evaluation of the safety, tolerability, and analgesic efficacy of Oxycodone DETERx extended-release (ER) and abuse-deterrent capsules (Xtampza (R) ER) [363]; total synthesis of the pharmacologically significant morphinan alkaloid, oxycodone [364]; abuse potential of the new opioid analgesic Molecule NKTR-181 compared with Oxycodone [365]; 2019 synthesis of (−)-Oxycodone via anodic aryl-aryl coupling [366].

Phenazepam: 2017 Detection of phenazepam in illicitly manufactured Erimin 5 tablets [367];

Phencyclidine (PCP): 2016 Synthesis of phencyclidine derivatives with modified aromatic or cycloalkyl rings and amino group [368]; 2017 Synthesis of novel derivatives of Phencyclidine with substituted aminobenzothiazoles [369]; 2018 review of the history, importance, synthesis (both legal and clandestine), pharmacology, drug metabolism, and folklore of PCP [370];

Phenobarbital: 2016 Phenobarbital loaded microemulsion for a transdermal drug delivery application [371]; energy contributions from competing hydrogen-bonded structures in six polymorphs of phenobarbital [372]; application of Ni:ZnS nanoparticles loaded on magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes as a sorbent for dispersive micro-solid phase extraction of phenobarbital and phenytoin prior to HPLC analysis of plasma, urine and water samples [373]; 2017 development of an electrochemical sensor based on the reduced graphene oxide/Pt nanopartides nanocomposite immobilized on modified glassy carbon electrode for the determination of phenobarbital and droxidopa [374]; preferential solvation parameters of phenobarbital in aqueous binary mixtures of 1,4-dioxane, t-butanol, n-propanol, ethanol, propylene glycol and glycerol were derived using the IKBI method [375]; application of a CaWO4 semiconductor to the phenobarbital electro-photocatalysis under UV/C irradiation [376]; 2018 SERS method for the quantitative detection of Phenobarbital in an injectable solution [377]; modified dispersive liquid phase microextraction for simultaneous separation/preconcentration of trace amounts of phenobarbital and phenytoin [378]; 2019 fluorescence sensor for the detection of phenobarbital [379].

Phenyl Acetyl Carbinol (L-PAC and R-PAC): 2016 catalytic asymmetric synthesis of chiral 2-hydroxy ketones using different thiamine diphosphate dependent enzymes including synthesis of (R)and (S)-phenylacetylcarbinol using Lactococcus lactis and Acetobacter pasteurianus [380]; biotransformation of benzaldehyde into L-PAC using yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae [381]; 2017 improvement of the yeast based (R)-phenylacetylcarbinol production process via reduction of by-product formation [382]; improved enzymatic method for the preparation of (R)-phenylacetyl carbinol [383]; asymmetric synthesis of (S)-phenylacetylcarbinol [384]; 2018 Biotransformation using halotolerant yeast in seawater to produce R-(−)-phenylacetylcarbinol [385]; effect of phosphate concentrations at 20, 250, 500, and 1,000 mM on phenylacetylcarbinol production [386]; Stereoselective synthesis of (1R, 2S)-norephedrine through the biosynthetic of L-phenylacetylcarbinol from benzaldehyde and pyruvate [387]; synthesis of novel beta-amino alcohols from phenylacetylcarbinol [388]; ethanol and phenylacetylcarbinol production processes of Candida tropicalis TISTR 5306 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae TISTR 5606 [389];

Phenyl-2-propanone (P2P, Phenylacetone): 2016 Wickerhamomyces subpelliculosus as whole-cell biocatalyst for stereoselective bioreduction of ketones including phenylacetone [390]; a covalent immobilization method of a flavoprotein monooxygenase via its flavin cofactor tested for phenylacetone monooxygenase [391]; 2017 catalytic mechanism of Phenylacetone monooxygenase for the native substrate phenylacetone as well as for a linear non-native substrate 2-octanone, using molecular dynamics simulations, quantum mechanics and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations [392]; 2018 conversion of a non-native linear substrate 2-octanone and the native substrate phenylacetone, catalyzed by the WT enzyme and a quadruple variant P253F/G254A/R258M/L443F [393];

Pregabalin: 2016 Direct Separation of Pregabalin enantiomers using a Zwitterionic chiral selector and analysis by two HPLC methods including detection by MS and UV [394]; results of a national study of Pregabalin abuse in France [395]; preparation and evaluation of floating tablets of pregabalin prepared in differing concentrations of xanthan and guar gum [396]; review article on the use of separation techniques including HP-TLC, HPLC, GC and electrophoresis in the determination of antiepileptic drugs including pregabalin (also includes eslicarbazepine acetate, levetiracetam, lacosamide, oxcarbazepine, and retigabine) [397]; study of the abuse potential of pregabalin [398,399]; validated fluorometric UHPLC method to measure pregabalin [400]; Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase for the efficient production of (S)-2-carboxyethyl-3-cyano-5-methylhexaoic acid used as chiral intermediate for pregabalin [401]; 2017 gabapentin diversion and misuse from 2002-2015 based on law enforcement-derived data [402]; abuse and misuse of Pregabalin and Gabapentin [403]; Pregabalin misuse and abuse reported to US Poison Centers [404]; synthesis of (+/−)-Pregabalin by using a three-step sequential-flow system with heterogeneous catalysts [405]; survey of the use of pregabalin among users of illicit drugs in Southern Germany [406]; systematic review of the effectiveness of policies restricting access to pregabalin [407]; Pregabalin abuse in Munich [408,409]; 2018 literature review of the abuse potential of pregabalin [410]; formulation of controlled-release tablets containing 150 mg pregabalin [411]; pregabalin immediate release tablets were prepared by direct compression method using central composite design with response surface methodology [412]; Preparation and evaluation of non-effervescent tablets containing pregabalin [413]; synthesis method of racemic Pregabalin, Baclofen and 3-Phenibut involving Lossen rearrangement [414]; Pregabalin misuse in methadone maintenance treatment patients in Israel [415]; 2019 validated GC/MS for the evaluation and quantification of pregabalin in pharmaceutical preparations [416];

Propofol: 2016 azo-coupling derivatization by sequential injection coupled with spectrophotometric detection for propofol analysis [417]; 2017 1,2-Dimethylimidazole-4-sulfonyl chloride derivatization for the analysis of propofol by LC-ESI-MS/MS [418]; survey of 48 forensic medicine departments in Germany, Austria and Switzerland concerning autopsies carried out between 2002-2112 on medical personnel involving the suspected abuse of propofol [419]; 2018 Propofol-dependence potential and forensic relevance [420]; Propofol monitoring [421,422]; 2019 ESI-LC-MS/MS analysis with two multiple reaction monitoring analyte (without derivatization) for detection of propofol [423];

Alpha-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone (Flakka, alpha-PVP): 2016 review of the chemistry, synthesis, metabolism, pharmacology, and toxicology; any related cases and seizures, existing analytical methodologies for the determination of alpha-PVP and its current legal status [424]; quantitative analysis of NPS containing alpha-PVP by DART-TOF-MS [425]; 2017 seized products screened by GC-MS followed by quantification of alpha-PVP by UPLC-PDA [426]; 2018 case report and literature review [427]; 2019 review [428]; survey of use amount high school seniors [429]; review [430];

Scopolamine: 2016 scopolamine synthesized from over-the-counter butylscopolamine (Buscopan (R)) [431]; 2017 FRET-based optical nanobiosensor to detect scopolamine in natural and transgenic hairy roots extracts of Atropa belladonna [432]; detection of Scopolamine Hydrobromide via SERS [433]; determination of atropine and scopolamine in buckwheat and related products using modified QuEChERS and LC-MS/MS [434]; 2018 detection of scopolamine and atropine in organic buckwheat (Fagopyron esculentum L.) products by UHPLC-MS/MS [435]; improving detection window of scopolamine [436]; 2019 Structural, FT-IR, FT-Raman and ECD studies on the free base, cationic and hydrobromide species of scopolamine alkaloid [437]; isolation and structural elucidation of scopolamine as a secondary metabolite of Hyoscyamus albus using (UV, IR, NMR, and EI-MS) [438]; TLC-ESI/MS method for scanning and characterizing chemical compounds including scopolamine and norscopolamine on the TLC plates [439]; batch injection analysis with square wave voltammetric for screening and detection of Scopolamine in beverages (beer, coke, energy drink, sugarcane spirit, vodka, and whisky) [440]; modified QuEChERS method coupled with LC-ESI+/MS-MS for the simultaneous detection and quantification of three botanical alkaloids including scopolamine, L-hyoscyamine, and sparteine residues [441].

Sibutramine: 2016 spectrofluorometric method for analysis of sibutramine, indapamide and hydrochlorothiazide compounds in weight-reducing tonic samples [442]; enantiomeric separation of Sibutramine by capillary zone electrophoresis using cyclodextrins as chiral selectors [443]; determination of Sibutramine in slimming food supplements by a validated HPLC-ES-MS/MS method [444]; thermal behaviors of racemic sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate as well as that of the anhydrous state were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) [445]; a ‘natural’ weight loss product containing sibutramine [446]; simultaneous detection of sibutramine and phenolphthalein by CE [447]; 2017 ATR-FTIR spectroscopic method to detect sibutramine in dietetic herbal foods, teas and dietary supplements [448]; identification of sibutramine using a fully integrated GC/FT-IR/MS instrument [449]; SERS method for detection of Sibutramine HCL in seven types of commercial slimming capsules [450]; 2018 continuation of Lanzarotta’s 2017 study using fully integrated GC-FT-IR-MS to identify and confirm the presence of sibutramine and AB-FUBINACA [451]; HPLC-PDA, LC-Q-TOF/MS, FT-IR, and NMR for isolation and structural characterization of a novel sibutramine analogue, chlorosipentramine, in a slimming dietary supplement [452]; LC-MS/MS (ESI) method for detecting sibutramine in herbal supplements [453]; 2019 identification of slimming agents apprehended in Brazil using FTIR, Differential Scanning Calorimetry and GC-MS including the comparison of the efficiency of solid-liquid extraction and microwave-assisted extraction [454]; portable square-wave voltammetric method for fast screening and quantification of sibutramine in herbal formulations and dietary supplements samples [455].

Tapentadol: 2016 Diversion and illicit sale of extended release tapentadol in the United States [456]; literature review on tramadol related scientific studies [457] 2017 Systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of tapentadol [458]; synthetic routes towards homochiral tapentadol [459]; 2018 efficacy and safety of tapentadol prolonged release formulation [460]; assessment of tapentadol API Abuse Liability [461]; review of tapentadol [462]; incorporation of tapentadol into validated screening and quantitative methods [463]; HPLC method (LC-MS compatible) developed and validated for identification and characterization of tapentadol and degradation products [464]; 2019 electrochemical sensor for determination of tapentadol in the presence of paracetamol in pharmaceutical samples [465]; optical, thermal, spectroscopic and structural analyses of the phase transformation occurring in tapentadol hydrochloride was studied using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and Raman scattering measurements [466].

Testosterone: 2016 high-resolution C-13 NMR spectroscopy compared to H-1 NMR for the detection of cation chelation and cation-induced signal shift effects for testosterone [467]; HPLC-DAD method for quantification of testosterone esters in an oil-based injectable dosage form [468]; availability and acquisition of illicit anabolic androgenic steroids and testosterone preparations on the internet [469]; 2017 UHPLC-ESI analysis of testosterone and other steroids in drinking water [470]; AB-ELISA method for the detection of testosterone and other anabolic androgenic steroids in dietary supplements [471]; electrochemical biosensor for determination of testosterone via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements [472]; TLC method for quantification of synthetic testosterone derivative, methyltestosterone, in pharmaceutical formulations [473]; SPE-LC-MS/MS method for determination of testosterone and other endocrine disrupting compounds in tropical estuarine sediments [474]; biosensor system based on biolayer interferometry for quantitative determination of testosterone in the environment [475]; 2018 SPE/LC-(ESI) MS-MS method for simultaneous quantitative monitoring of testosterone and related pharmaceuticals and hormones in environmental water samples [476]; molecularly imprinted polymer photonic film for the detection of testosterone in water [477,478]; 2019 certification of a testosterone calibration standard and detection and quantification of impurities using GC-FID and NMR [479]; SPE-UHPLC-MS/MS method for detection of 13 hormones including testosterone in diverse water matrices [480];

Tianeptine: 2017 Case report of Tianeptine use purchased on the internet in the United States [481]; gold and silver nanoparticle electrodes combined with amperometric monoaminoxidase biosensors for the determination of tianeptine and other antidepressant drugs (moclobemide and amitriptyline) [482]; 2018 case reports of two known tianeptine fatalities in the United States [483]; characteristics of Tianeptine exposures reported to the National Poison Data System - United States, 2000–2017 [484,485]; New York State Poison Control Centers experience with calls related to tianeptine [486].

Tramadol: 2016 Potentiometric selective electrodes designed for the electrochemical determination of tramadol hydrochloride in bulk, Pharmaceutical formulations (also applied to plasma and urine) [487]; cyclic voltammetry for the determination of tramadol (also paracetamol and caffeine) [488]; RP-HPLC method for the simultaneous analysis of tramadol hydrochloride and dicyclomine in bulk and tablet dosage form [489]; all-solid-state ion selective electrode for the determination of Tramadol Hydrochloride [490]; electrochemical sensor fabricated based on a glassy carbon electrode for determination of tramadol in pharmaceutical and biological samples [491]; all solid state polymeric membrane electrode for analysis of tramadol hydrochloride in pharmaceutical formulations [492]; UV spectrophotometric method for simultaneous determination of paracetamol and tramadol in paracetamol-tramadol tablets [493]; formulation and dissolution kinetics study of hydrophilic matrix tablets with tramadol hydrochloride and different co-processed dry binders as possible controlled release formulations [494]; colorimetric method for estimation of tramadol hydrochloride in pure and tablet dosage forms [495]; predictive pharmacokinetics of tramadol hydrochloride floating tablets [496]; 2017 electrochemical imprinted sensor for determination of tramadol by combination of a functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes and a thin molecularly imprinted film [497]; RP-HPLC method for simultaneous quantitation of tramadol and aceclofenac [498]; voltammetric determination of tramadol [499]; electrochemical determination of tramadol and paracetamol [500]; review article on tramadol [501]; electrochemical sensors for the determination of tramadol hydrochloride in pharmaceutical formulations [502]; glassy carbon electrode for determination of warfarin and tramadol in pharmaceutical compounds [503]; anisotropic (spherical/hexagon/cube) silver nanoparticle embedded magnetic carbon nanosphere as platform for designing of tramadol imprinted polymer [504]; synthesis of phosphorylated derivatives of cis-tramadol and analysis by IR, NMR (H-1, C-13, P-31), mass spectra, and C, H, N [505]; development of controlled release matrix tablets of tramadol [506]; enantiomeric separation of tramadol by LC with fluorescence detection [507]; 2018 LC-MS/MS Quantification of Tramadol and Gabapentin Utilizing Solid Phase Extraction [508]; liquid-liquid microextraction combined with GC-FID for the quantification of methadone and tramadol [509]; sensor for the determination of tramadol in pharmaceutical and biological samples [510]; 15-year overview of increasing tramadol utilization and the impact of tramadol classification in the United Kingdom [511]; sensor for tramadol determination [512]; controlled release subcutaneous formulation for tramadol hydrochloride [513]; CE method for simultaneous chiral separation of tramadol and methadone [514]; 2019 LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of tramadol hydrochloride in the presence of some suspected mislabeled drugs such as alprazolam, diazepam, chlorpheniramine maleate, diphenylhydramine and paracetamol (application to counterfeit samples) [515]; FIA using an electrode to quantify tramadol hydrochloride in pure solutions and pharmaceuticals [516]; electrochemical sensor for determination of nalbuphine and tramadol [517]; glassy carbon electrode for simultaneous determination of tramadol and acetaminophen [518]; high performance chemiluminescence system for the detection of tramadol [519].

Zolpidem: 2016 electrochemical method was developed and validated for the voltammetric determination of zolpidem using a disposable pencil graphite electrode [520]; 2018 review of dosage forms of Zolpidem [521]; appearance, taste, and concentrations of zolpidem dissolved in still water and carbonated beverages determined by HPLC-MS/MS [522]; patterns of zolpidem use among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans [523]; 2019 electrochemical sensor for detection and determination of zolpidem [524]; HPLC method for evaluating the dissolution profile of commercially available zolpidem products [525];

Zopiclone (see also Eszopiclone): 2016 electrochemical oxidation of zopiclone [526]; HPLC methods with UV detection were developed and validated for the direct resolution of racemic mixtures of hyoscyamine sulfate and zopiclone [527]; 2017 spectrofluorimetric determination of zopiclone in pharmaceutical formulations [528]; 2018 RP-HPLC and TLC methods for determination of zopiclone in pharmaceutical formulation [529]; 2019 fluorescence spectroscopy and high-performance TLC methods for the separation of zopiclone enantiomers using L-(+)-tartaric acid as a chiral selector, followed by determination of the chiral-switching Eszopiclone [530]; evaluation of the ability of different beverages to mask the bitterness of zopiclone and Eszopiclone in tablet formulations [531].

1.2. Individual natural products containing abused substances (except natural products laced with synthetic cannabinoids and/or cannabimimetics)

Overviews and/or Reviews: 2016 tropane and quinolizidine alkaloid composition of Atropa acuminata, Lupinus polyphyllus and Hyoscyamus niger as determined by GC-MS [532]; 2017 review of anti-obesogenic effects of various medicinal plant extracts [533]; herbal medicine samples prepared and analyzed by GC-MS for identification of undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients [534]; 2018 review of the current state of research into essential oils from native Mexican aromatic plants, identifies gaps in knowledge and suggests areas for further research [535]; medicinal uses for A. barbata and the peyote fern (Pellaea ternifolia) and new uses for damiana and cherry (Prunus serotina) are documented [536]; review of herbal highs [537]; review of medicinal plants in Uzunkopru and surrounding villages in the years 2013–2015 [538]; overview of the challenges in detection of magic mushroom, peyote cactus, khat, and solvent abuse [539]; 2019 review of tropane alkaloids in the Solanaceae and Erythroxylaceae families [540].

Aerva javanica: 2016 quantification of phenolic components of Achyranthes aspera and Aerva javanica leaves was made using LC-ESI-MS/MS [541]; 2017 analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of aqueous-methanolic extract of Aerva javanica [542]; investigation of the chemical composition of Aerva javanica by HPLC and LC-MS [543]; compounds were isolated from ethyl acetate soluble fraction of methanolic extract of the flowers of Aerva javanica and the structures of isolates were elucidated by the combination of 1D (H-1 and C-13-NMR), 2D (HMQC, HMBC and COSY) NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (FABMS, HRFABMS) [544]; 2018 determine of the bioactive components of the aerial parts of the Aerva javanica plant by GC-MS [545];

Atropa belladonna: 2016 Extraction method extract atropine from the stem and leaves of Atropa belladonna [546]; 2017 MALDI detection of major alkaloids from pulverized plant material of Atropa belladonna and Senecio vulgaris [547]; 2018 UHPLC-HRMS method for determination of tropane alkaloids from atropa belladonna seed extracts [548]; 2019 MALDI-MSI of Atropa belladonna berries [549].

Ayahuasca: 2016 drug policy of the EU member countries in relation to ayahuasca consumption [550]; DART-HRMS for determination of the individual components within Ayahuasca [551]; 2017 SPE and LC-UV-DAD determination of Tryptamines and beta-Carbolines in Ayahuasca [552]; 2019 development of an extraction method based on solid-phase extraction for determination of the major alkaloid components, N,N-dimethyltryptamine, harmine, harmaline, harmalol, and tetrahydroharmine, in ayahuasca using ultra-performance LC-MS/MS [553].

Betel (Piper Betle Linn): 2016 DART-HRMS for determination of the provenance of psychoactive pepper species, namely Piper methysticum (aka kava) and P. betle (aka betel) [554]; review article [555]; volatile constituents of Piper betle landraces were analyzed using GC FID and GC-MS [556]; GC-MS to identify the semi volatile and volatile compounds present in the leaf ethanol extracts [557]; 2018 isolation of two new chemical constituents on the basis of spectroscopic data 1D NMR (H-1 and C-13) and 2D NMR (H-1-H-1 COSY and HMBC) as well as ESI-MS, FT-IR and HR-ESI-MS analyses [558]; volatile profiling of Piper species by HS-SPME-GC-MS [559];

Coca (Erythroxylum): 2017 Non-extracted and extracted coca leaves, acidic extract and coca paste were analyzed by GC-MS and LC-MS/MS [560];

Damiana (Turnera diffusa): 2017 GC-MS analysis of essential oil and antioxidants in the medicinal plant Turnera diffusa [561]; 2019 UHPLC-DAD method for the quantification of the isolated components in the herb and in traditional preparations of T. diffusa [562].

Datura stramonium (Jimson weed, Angel Trumpet): 2016 Structural analysis and characterization of bio-oils from liquefaction of Datura stramonium L via elemental analysis, GC-MS and FT-IR [563]; fractionation of the MeOH extract of Datura stramonium leaves led to the isolation of three alkaloids - scopolamine (1), trigonelline (2), and tyramine (3) [564]; 2017 TLC and FTIR analysis to investigate the presence of alkaloids and other chemical constituents in Datura stramonium (Saikaran, Jimson weed) [565]; analysis of hyoscine in wild-type and in vitro-grown Datura by HPLC [566]; 2018 review of the genus Datura L. (Solanaceae) [567]; GC/MS analysis to identify tropane alkaloids found in the Hairy roots of Datura [568];

Ephedra: 2016 HPLC analysis of Ephedra major [569]; GC-MS analysis to determine chemical composition of the essential oil and various extracts of Ephedra alata alenda [570]; characterization of Ephedra sinica Stapf [571]; extraction of NDGA from Ephedra followed by HPLC analysis [572]; GC-MS-based plant metabolomics to investigate the chemical differences between Mahuang (the stems of Ephedra sinica) and Mahuanggen (the roots of Ephedra sinica) [573,574]; UHPLC-MS/MS method to measure ephedra in the herbal preparation Ma-Xing-Gan-Shi-Tang [575]; direct ionization-MS for identification of medicinal Ephedrae Herba (Ephedra sinica, Ephedra intermedia, and Ephedra equisetina) [576]; 2017 characterization of phenolic constituents from ephedra herb extract [577]; determination of ephedra alkaloids (ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, norephedrine, norpsuedoephedrine, methylephedrine, and synephrine) from dietary supplements using strong cation-exchange SPE cartridges for isolation of the compounds [578]; 2018 use of N-methyltransferase from Ephedra sinica to catalyze the formation of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine [579]; HPLC to determine ephedra alkaloids in powder products [580]; HPLC-UV method for the determination of Ephedra intermedia, Rheum palmatum, and Lithospermum erythrorhizon [581]; discrimination of three Ephedra species and their geographical origins based on multi-element fingerprinting by ICP-MS [582]; determination of the content of Ephedra alkaloids, namely ephedrine, methylephedrine, norpseudoephedrine, pseudoephedrine and norephedrine by HPLC [580]; determination of the Herbal Composition of Ephedra intermedia, Rheum palmatum, and Lithospermum erythrorhizon by HPLC-UV [581]; 2019 identification and phylogenetic analysis of three Ephedra herbs [583]; development of a set of microsatellite markers for genetic monitoring and surveying of Ephedra [584]; molecular analysis of genetic diversity and population genetic structure in Ephedra [585]; phytochemically characterization of Ephedra data Decne. by LC-DAD-ESI-MSn [586].

Hawaiian Baby Woodrose (Argyreia nervosa): 2017 review of cases involving Lysergic acid amide (LSA) [587];

Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum): 2016 DART-HRTOFMS for revealing the adulteration of commercially available Sceletium tortuosum (Kanna) [588].

Khat (Catha edulis): 2016 SPE of psychoactive phenylpropylamino alkaloids from Khat leaves [589]; rapid differentiation of Catha edulis using single point and imaging vibrational spectroscopy [590]; review of the chemical composition of Catha edulls (khat) [591]; use patterns [592]; 2017 HPLC-DAD determination of khat (Catha edulis Forsk) alkaloids [593]; evaluation of the consequences of criminalizing khat [594]; GC-MS to detect presence of cathine in Catha edulis and other Celastraceae species [595]; 2018 review [596]; 2019 review [597].

Kratom (Mitragynine speciosa): 2016 determination of the mitragynine composition of 13 commercial products of Kratom sold online and in “smartshops” by GC-MS [598]; analysis of products advertised as kratom [599]; overview of kratom products seized [600]; study of the addictive profile and abuse potential of Kratom [601]; 2017 determination of the purity of mitragynine in a Mitragyna speciosa alkaloid extract using UFLC [602]; ic-ELISA method for rapid quantification of the major kratom alkaloids including mitragynine, paynantheine, and speciogynine in kratom cocktails [603]; review of the known chemistry of plants of the genus Mitragyna that are sold as kratom [604]; detection and identification of kratom using chemical tests and qPCR-HRM [605]; HPLC method to quantify mitragynine in kratom raw materials and finished products [606]; 2018 HPLC-DAD, HPLC-MS, HPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS for the identification and quantification of the principal alkaloids present in different Mitragyna speciose strains [607]; scheduling of kratom [608]; dangers of kratom [609]; survey of polydrug use among kratom users [610]; immunochromatographic strip to determine mitragynine in kratom cocktails and kratom leaf samples [611]; HPLC-UV determination of alkaloids in Kratom raw materials and dietary supplements [612]; 2019 case report [613]; SPE and GC and GC-MS analysis of the chemical constituents of M. speciosa leaves [614].

Marijuana and Hemp (Cannabis sativa) and associated Phytocannabinoids: 2016 review [615]; cyclic voltammetry technique to differentiate the electrochemical behavior of Delta(9)-THC to reduce false positive results in the analysis of marijuana plant matter [616]; voltammetric analysis of Delta(9)-THC in aqueous media [617]; review of industrial hemp [618]; analysis of the effects of gamma-irradiation through UPLC analysis of major cannabinoids and qualitative GC analysis of full cannabinoid and terpene profiles [619]; analysis of marijuana contamination on currency [620]; GC-MS of cannabigerol, cannabinol, cannabidiol, cannabichromene, delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other terpenoids in seized cannabis seeds [621]; influence of cultivation on inflorescence lipid distributions, concentrations, and carbon isotope ratios of Cannabis [622]; immunoassay for herbal cannabis [623]; quantification of cannabinoids (Delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, and cannabinol) in milk by alkaline saponification-SPE combined with isotope dilution UPLC-MS/MS [624]; chemical analysis of cannabinoids in seized cannabis using heated headspace solid-phase microextraction and GC-MS [625]; quantification of the main cannabinoids, cannabidiol, Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabinol in seized hashish [626]; effect of supercritical CO2 extraction process parameters on recovery of oil from pressed hemp cake [627]; evaluation of biomass and seed yields and composition of cultivars in seven contrasting environments [628]; atomic absorption spectrometry, UV-VIS spectrophotometry, and biochemical methods for characterization of seed cakes including hemp cakes [629]; GC-FID analysis of foods made of hemp for determination of THC, cannabidiol and cannabinol [630]; phytochemical profiling by LC-MS [631]; characterization of cannabinoid composition in a diverse Cannabis sativa L. germplasm collection by LC-MS cannabinoid profiling coupled with dominant and co-dominant DNA marker assays [632]; 2017 LC-MS/MS analysis of cannabidiol, cannabigerol, cannflavin A, Delta(9)-THC in methanolic extracts [633]; HPLC-MS/MS coupled with chemometric analysis for determination of cannabinoids ((9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, and cannabinol) in hemp nut products [634]; LC-MS/MS method for determining cannabinoids in hemp seeds, milk and liver [635]; isolation of compounds from hemp leaves by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, LC-MS, and HRESIMS [636]; characterization of oil from hemp leaves by Raman spectroscopy [637]; evaluation of the hemp biomass and chemical composition of cannabis sativa [638]; NIR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics for growth stage classification of seized cannabis seeds [639]; ESI(+/−)-FT-ICR MS and ESI(±) MS/MS analysis of 68 samples of seized cannabis seeds for chemical characterization [640]; HPLC-UV/DAD and HPLC-ESI-MS method for analysis of the main non-psychoactive cannabinoids Cannabis sativa L [641]; microwave-assisted extraction method for cannabinoids in hemp nut [642]; LC-MS/MS method to identify pesticides in illicitly cannabis grown indoors [643]; analysis of the change in potency of cannabis samples in the five French forensic police laboratories over 25 years (1992–2016) [644]; confocal Raman imaging and quantitative image analysis to characterize biocomposite material microstructures in hemp [645]; analysis of blood samples and seizures in Norway [646]; U-HPLC-MS/MS method for quantification of cannabinoids [647]; chemical profiling of commercial strain of medical cannabis [648]; detection of marijuana varieties based on chemical signatures extracted from sample headspace [649]; HPLC-DAD method for analyzing cannabinoids in cannabis raw materials and finished products [650]; HPLC-DAD method for detection of cannabinoids in plant material [651]; LC-MS-IT-TOF technology, to detect and quantify cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidivarin (CBDV), Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabivarin (Delta(9)-THCV), and cannabigerol (CBG) [652]; supercritical CO2 extraction of cannabinoids from cannabis sativa L. [653]; variations in potency and price in legal cannabis markets [654]; HPLC determination of delta-9-THC content in seized cannabis [655]; quantitation of 9-THC in perfume using HPLC-MS/MS in MRM mode [656]; isomeric separation of cannabinoids in hashish, marijuana, and parts of the Cannabis Sativa L plant (flower and leaf) by UPLC combined with twin wave ionic mobility mass spectrometry (TWIM-MS) [657]; MS estimation of Duquenois reaction chromophores for the four major Phytocannabinoids (a dagger(8)-tetrahydrocannabinol, a dagger(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, and cannabinol) [658]; method for the preparation and application of THC and CBD containing brownies used as quality control (QC) material for the analysis of marijuana or cannabinoid baked edibles [659]; analysis of Delta 9-THC, cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN) in confiscated cannabis using UPLC-MS/MS [660]; 2018 development of hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (DESs) based on terpenes and natural organic acids as potential substitutes for the extraction of phytocannabinoids (tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, and their carboxylated homologues) from raw cannabis plant material [661]; extraction and isolation of cannabinoids from marijuana seizures followed by characterization using H-1 NMR and confirmed by GC-MS [662]; potency of Delta(9)-THC and other cannabinoids in cannabis in England in 2016 [663]; analytical applications of SFC for the cannabis industry [664]; chromatographic method validation for cannabis laboratories [665]; adoption of LC technology and its role in cannabis testing [666]; review [667]; Fast GC/MS method for determining cannabinoids in Cannabis sativa L [668]; GC-MS qualitative analysis of 11 target cannabinoids as their trimethylsilyl derivatives (CBD, CBDA, d9THC, THCA, CBN, d8THC, CBG, CBGA, CBDV, THCV, and CBC) in commercial cannabis products [669]; HPLC-DAD quantitative analysis of five cannabinoids of (CBD, Delta(9)-THC, CBDA, THCA, and CBN) in commercial cannabis products [670]; HPLC-ESI-HRMS/MS to evaluate the chemical composition of Cannabis medicinal extracts [671]; HPLC-UV method for determination of cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabidivarin (CBDV), present in 13 commercial hemp seed oils [672]; thermal desorption- IMS method for obtaining spectral fingerprints of single cannabinoids from Cannabis plant extracts [673]; review of chemical composition and nutraceutical properties of hempseed [674]; HPLC-MS/MS for determination of nine natural cannabinoids in beverages and food derived from Cannabis sativa [675]; LC-MS analysis of cannabinoids in milk, liver and hemp seed [676]; untargeted analysis by HRMS in negative ion mode for the identification of the main polyphenols (caffeoyltyramine, cannabisin A, B, C) in seeds and of omega-6 (linoleic acid) in sprouts [677]; HS-SPME-GC/MS analysis of buccal swabs for detection of Phytocannabinoids [678]; identification of stilbenoids and cannabinoids from the leaves of Cannabis sativa f. sativa by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, LC-MS, and HRESIMS [679]; analysis of cannabis extracts by electrospray ionization IMS-MS [680]; GC-FID method for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of acid and neutral cannabinoids in C. sativa extracts [681]; determination of cannabinoids from a surrogate hops matrix using multiple reaction monitoring GC-MS/MS [682]; extraction of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, and cannabinol from marijuana samples using a hard-cap espresso extraction with 2-propanol [683]; characterization of CBD oil by GC-MS and HPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap-MS [684]; VOC emission profiles of 48 seized hashish samples were analyzed by headspace solid-phase microextraction GC-MS and evaluated with chemometric tools [685]; quantification of seven cannabinoids by HPLC-DAD and quantification of 42 terpenes by GC-MS [686]; RP-HPLC-UV method for the separation and quantification of eight different cannabinoids in cannabis sativa L. [687]; review [688]; chemical profiling of non-psychoactive cannabinoids by HPLC-UV/DAD, ESI-MS, and MS2; and analysis of Cannabis volatile compounds by HS-SPME coupled with GC-MS and GC-FID [689];

2019 UHPLC-DAD method for the qualification and quantification of the cannabinoids CBDA, CBD, CBN, THC, CBC and THCA, in medicinal cannabis biomass and resin obtained by SFE [690]; LC-HRMS for cannabinoid profiling of tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, other 30 cannabinoids in hemp seed oil [691]; LDI, MALDI MS, and IMS techniques were used to detect and determine the distribution of cannabinoid compounds on the surface of fresh and aged Cannabis leaves [692]; analysis of seven cannabinoid standards: five neutral and two acidic, as well as Cannabis products (hashish and marijuana) and parts of the Cannabis plant (flower and leaf) using GC-MS, GC x GC-QMS, UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS and UPLC-ESI- (TWIM)-MS [693]; GC-MS method for the quantification of terpenes in cannabis plant material [694]; prevalence of Cannabis in relation to National Drug Policy in 27 Countries [695]; overview of analytical challenges in the cannabis industry faces and the role of mass spectrometry [696]; stability study of the effect of time and storage conditions on the composition of different varieties of cannabis products (hashish and marijuana) [697].

Marijuana (Genetic and/or Proteomic Analyses):2016 13-loci STR multiplex method to accurately genotype 199 Cannabis sativa samples from 11 U.S. Customs and Border Protection seizures [698]; loop-mediated isothermal amplification DNA -based assay for the identification of c. sativa [699]; rbcL gene for genetic discrimination of seized c. sativa [700]; comparison of three DNA markers for the detection of male genotype in industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis plants [701]; review of genetic and genomic tools for cannabis sativa [702]; RNA-Seq analysis for phenotypic differentiation of fiber-type and seed-type cannabis [703]; analysis of the nuclear genomic diversity among 340 Cannabis varieties, including fiber and seed oil hemp, high cannabinoid drug-types, and feral population [704]; analysis of DNA extracted from seed embryos used for individualization of four hemp and six marijuana varieties [705]; review of genetic resources available for phenotype tracking of cannabis [706]; 2017 high resolution melting SNP protocol for differentiation of drug and non-drug cannabis plants [707]; genotyping of 154 individual plants from 20 cultivars for identification of genetic clusters [708]; restriction fragment length polymorphism of the THCA synthase gene for differentiation of Cannabis subspecies [709]; 13 loci STR system for forensic DNA profiling of marijuana samples (validated according to relevant ISFG and SWGDAM guidelines) [710]; loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for identifying the drug-type strains of C. sativa [711]; detection and partial characterization of a 16srix-c phytoplasma associated with hemp witches’-broom [712]; genetic determination of Cannabis sativa var. indica based on six genomic SSRs for genotyping 154 individual plants from 22 cultivars to determine intra-varietal diversity [708]; 2018 Phylogenetic analysis of samples from four different sites: 21 seizures at the US-Mexico border, Northeastern Brazil, hemp seeds purchased in the US, and the Araucania area of Chile, to determine population substructure using autosomal and lineage markers [713]; genetic characterization of hemp [714]; method for extracting DNA from cannabis resin based on the evaluation of relative PCR amplification ability [715];

2019 13-loci STR multiplex system for individualization and origin differentiation of Brazilian seized samples of marijuana [716]; determination of Cannabinoid concentrations in 531 confiscated cannabis samples [717]; optimization of protein extraction from cannabis [718];

Marijuana – Miscellaneous Topics:2016 food safety for marijuana-infused edibles [719]; oversight considerations for edible cannabis products [720]; cannabis consumption patterns among frequent consumers in Uruguay [721]; effect of legalization on the method of consumption [722]; refusal rates of sales to underage-appearing individuals without valid identification at retail outlets in Colorado [723]; characterization of edible marijuana exposures reported to US poison centers [724]; legalization issues [725]; legalization considerations [726]; dabbing-related content on Twitter [727]; citizen views toward marijuana regulation in Uruguay, the United States, and El Salvador [728]; regulation of agrochemical use on medical/recreational marijuana in Oregon [729]; recalls of marijuana contaminated by pesticides banned for use on marijuana in Colorado [730]; edible use among teens [731]; impacts of legalization [732]; modes of marijuana consumption among Colorado youth [733]; challenges of implementing a medical marijuana policy in Massachusetts [734]; Twitter data on cannabis edibles in the U.S [735]; prevalence and current patterns of vaping cannabis [736]; tobacco, legalized marijuana and electronic vaporizer use among young adults in Colorado [737]; regulation of agrochemicals use on medical marijuana in Nevada [738]; hair analysis for Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA-A) and Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) after handling cannabis plant material [739]; approach to identifying Twitter tweets that are related to personal and recreational use of marijuana [740]; analysis of Google search data to assess the scope and breadth of information seeking on dabbing [741]; profile of cannabis plantations, growers and production systems in Spain [742]; LC-MS/MS determination of 61 LC amenable pesticides in Marijuana [743]; review of industrial hemp production [618]; review of industrial hemp [744]; composition of a collection of hemp cultivars and accessions of different geographical origins grown under the same conditions for 1 year [745]; investigation of hemp plant morphological parameters [746]; fiber and seed productivity of 14 commercial cultivars were tested in four contrasting European environments [747]; isolation and structural elucidation of stereoisomers of diketopiperazine indole alkaloid (12S, 22R)-Dihydroxyisoechinulin A (1), (12S, 22S)-Dihydroxyisoechinulin A (2) and (12R/S)-Neoechinulin A (3) in hemp seed by UV, IR, NMR, MS, CD spectra, ECD and chiral HPLC analysis techniques [748]; 2017 product trial of new marijuana or hashish edible products [749]; implication of state regulation of marijuana contaminants [750]; instrumental neutron activation for isotopic ratio analysis of K-40 in marijuana [751]; 5 year study comparing exposures to marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids [752]; relationship of cannabis legalization to home cultivation and the use of edible products [753]; relationship of cannabis legalization and the use of edible products and vaping among youth [754]; model for predicting marijuana use based on twitter posts [755]; analysis of THC on hands and uniforms of officers during raids on cannabis growing houses and forest cannabis plantations and in the air [756]; use of marijuana edible by adolescents [757]; regulation of marijuana edibles [758]; impacts of marijuana legalization [759]; study on the labelling information on edible marijuana products sold for recreational use [760]; videos about marijuana edibles on YouTube [761]; orbitrap-MS analysis of THC and metabolites in wastewater to examine degradation kinetics [762]; review of the detection of marijuana and metabolites in waste and surface water [763]; regulation of pesticide use in commercial cannabis markets [764]; determination of carbonyls produced by thinning agents used when vaporizing cannabis oil [765]; 2018 identification of non-cannabinoid compounds using HPLC [766]; review of cannabis-infused food in Canada [767]; occupational health and safety hazards in cannabis-related working environments [768]; bacteria and fungi encountered at an outdoor cannabis farm were elucidated by 16 S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region sequencing [769]; cannabinoid content of legal cannabis products in Washington state [770]; analysis of post on an online cannabis community forum to identify trends in emerging forms of cannabis use [771]; impact of legalization in California’s prime marijuana growing area [772]; overview of workplace safety in the Colorado cannabis industry [773]; characterization of hemp seed alpha-galactosidase using MALDI-TOF-MS [774]; review of the regulation of medical use of cannabis and cannabinoid containing products in North America and Europe [775]; Elemental analysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and thermogravimetric analyzer coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (TG-FTIR) for comparison of the pyrolysis process of ancient hemp seeds and melon seeds [776]; review the current (as of November 2017) regulations of medical cannabis use in Europe and North America [775]; regulatory framework of marijuana in Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska [777]; framework for assessing regulatory options for medicinal cannabis in Australia [778]; evaluation of the inflorescence yields and the content of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) of seven traditional genotypes of cannabis - Conspiracy Kush, Nurse Jackie, Jilly Bean, Nordle, Jack Cleaner 2, Jack Skellington and National Health Services [779]; regulation of cannabis in Germany [780]; resolution of (+)- and (−)-sativamides A and B in the fruit of cannabis sativa by chiral HPLC [781]; 2019 impact of Marijuana legalization on law enforcement in states surrounding Colorado [782].

Marijuana (“Synthetic Marijuana”) - See “Synthetic Cannabinoids and Cannabimimetics” (Subsection 1.D).

Mushrooms (including Psilocybe mushrooms): 2016 MC-ICPMS method for precise V-51/V-50 isotope ratio measurements as a useful tool for identifying the origin of Amanita muscaria - a widespread toxic and hallucinogenic mushroom [783]; identification of mushroom samples from nine clinically reported cases in Thailand during a 7-year period based on nuclear ITS sequence data and identification of lethal peptide toxins using a reversed phase LC-MS method [784]; DNA-based taxonomic identification of basidiospores in hallucinogenic mushrooms cultivated in “grow-kits” seized by the police: LC-UV quali-quantitative determination of psilocybin and psilocin [785]; 2017 identification and quantitation of Psilocybe cubensis DNA using a quantitative qPCR-HRM assay [786]; review [787]; characterization of four psilocybin biosynthesis enzymes [788]; 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry for the identification of norpsilocin in Psilocybe cubensis [789]; isolation of 10 compounds from Psilocybe merdaria and structural determination from the analysis of 1D and 2D NMR and MS data [790]; characterization of four psilocybin biosynthesis enzymes [788]; 2018 Detection and identification of psilocybe cubensis DNA using a real-time PCR assay [791]; an enhanced enzymatic route of psilocybin production by adding the tryptophan synthase of the mushroom Psilocybe cubensis (TrpB) to the reaction [792]; review [793]; 2019 review [794]; morphological, chemical, and genetic analysis of mycelia of psychedelic fungi collected from a clandestine laboratory using SEM, MS, HRM and ITS sequencing [795];

Nymphea carulea (Blue Lotus): 2017 analysis of apomorphine and nuciferine in a confiscated brown resin material [796];

Opium/Opium Poppy/Poppy Seeds/Papaver Somniferum (see also Papaver below, and Opiates in Subsection 1.C): 2016 opium profiling based on the relative content of five principal and 14 minor opium alkaloids using UPLC-Q-TOF to trace clandestine opium production and trafficking [797]; 2017 Forensic application of EST-derived STR markers in opium poppy to distinguish cultivars [798]; morphine content in the poppy straw of edible poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) [799]; novel fingerprint method applied to monitor the quality consistency of alkaloids in powdered poppy capsule extractive [800]; determination of the content of morphine, codeine, and papaverine in ornamental P. somniferum cultivars by HPLC and CE [801]; identification of illicit opium cultivation using SERS with microfluidics for the detection of papaverine at low concentrations [802]; isolation and characterization of a novel O-methyltransferase (OMT) involved in the biosynthesis of alkaloids in the California poppy [803]; SFE of papaverine and noscapine from poppy capsules [804]; 2018 study to examine relationships between capsule yield, some other yield and quality traits by means of correlation, path and principal components analysis in fifteen opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) cultivars registered in Turkey [805]; LC-MS/MS method to determine the content of six opium alkaloids (morphine, codeine, thebaine, noscapine, papaverine and narceine) in poppy seeds and bakery products with a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.1 mg/kg [806]; quantification of Morphine, codeine, and thebaine in home-brewed Poppy Seed tea extracts by LC-MS/MS [807]; examination of biosynthesis pathways and morphine content in opium poppy cultivars [808]; use of deep learning target detection to identify the location of poppy parcels and map their spatial distribution [809]; GC-MS method for the characterization of thebaol, a component of opium poppy [810]; bulk analysis of aged oil and juglet used for poppy distribution by GC-EI-MS and pyGC-EI-MS and analysis of the alkaloid extracts by HPLC-ESI-MS using both triple quadrupole and FTICR mass spectrometer [811]; 2019 review [812];

Papaver (other species): 2017 detection of papaverine and noscapine in Pericarpium papaveris in hot pot condiments using a QuEChERS- TLC-SER method [813]; 2018 identification and metabolite profiling of alkaloids in aerial parts of Papaver rhoeas by LC-QTOF-MS [814]; quantification of 22 different alkaloids in apaver spp. (Papaver rhoeas (Corn poppy) and Papaver nudicaule (Iceland poppy using LC-QTOF-MS/MS and comparison to genetic data for transcriptome profiling [815].

Papaver (Genetic and/or Proteomic Analyses): 2016 Identification of transcription factor gene families using transcriptome datasets of 10 cultivars of P. somniferum with distinct chemoprofile [816]; the morphological diversity and molecular diversity of 103 Turkish opium poppy landraces and 15 cultivars were analyzed for mapping genetic association [817]; cDNA sequences that belong to the Oxytona species (Papaver bracteatum, Papaver pseudo-orientale, and Papaver orientale) [818]; 2018 identification and expression analysis of a microRNA cluster derived from pre-ribosomal RNA in Papaver somniferum L. and Papaver bracteatum L. [819]; simultaneous over-expression and silencing of some benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes in opium poppy [820]; phenotypic and genotypic characterization of two non-pathogenic strains R89–1 and R90(T) isolated from poppy seed (Papaver somniferum L.) [821]; report of the opium poppy genome [822]; 2019 use of gene expression to enhance Morphine biosynthesis in Papaver somniferum [823].

Peganum harmala 2017 Identification of quinazoline alkaloids in Peganum harmala by HPLC-DAD-MS and NMR [824]; CE-UV method for determination of psychoactive alkaloids in Peganum Harmala seed infusions [825]; C-18-SPE-CE-MS method for detection of harmala alkaloids [826]; 2018 HPLC-ESI-IMS analysis of alkaloid compounds from Peganum harmala L seeds [827]; 2019 FT-RAMAN and SERS for determination of harmala alkaloids in Peganum Harmala [828]; HPTLC method for simultaneous analysis of five antipsychotic and medicinally important -carboline alkaloids in Peganum Harmala [829]; determination of the morphological characteristic and the anatomical structure of Peganum harmala L. [830]; genome of Peganum harmala [831].

Peyote (and other mescaline-containing cacti): 2016 DNA analysis of the chloroplast trnL/trnF region and chloroplast rbcL gene to identify the individuals of Lophophora to aid forensic analysis [832];

Plant Materials (Multiple Plants in Single Studies): 2016 review of the immunoassay challenges in detection of unusual substances such as Magic Mushroom, Peyote Cactus, Khat, and Solvent Abuse [539]; HPTLC -ESI-MS for profiling of alkaloid-rich herbal drugs [833]; DART-HRMS for spectral profiling of biological material including Mitragyna speciosa (Kratom) and Datura (Jimsonweed) [834]; GC-MS determination of the myristicin, psychoactive, hallucinogenic substance from plant material [835]; review of adulterants in herbal medications [836]; 2017 development and validation of a tetraplex multiplex real-time PCR assay used to simultaneously identify morning glory, jimson weed, Hawaiian woodrose, and marijuana [837]; spectrum-effect relationships between HPLC-DAD fingerprint and analgesic activity of Anisodus tanguticus (Maxim.) Pascher (Solanaceae) (AT) root [838]; supercritical fluid extraction of carbon dioxide extraction method to isolate bioactive components from variety of plant materials [839]; review of herbal highs [537]; identification of synthetic indazole-3-carboxamide cannabinoid (CUMYL-4CN-BINACA) in seized plant material using LC-HR/MS, GC-EI/MS, NMR spectroscopy and FTIR [840]; 2018 anti-nociceptive mechanisms of flavonoids-rich methanolic extract from Terminalia coriacea (Roxb.) Wight & Arn. leaves [841]; simultaneous determination of 13 tropane alkaloids in tea and herbal teas using HPLC coupled to an Exactive-Orbitrap analyzer [842]; 2019 mass-spectrometry-based imaging (MSI) of macroscopic plant samples [843]; GC-MS analysis of the physical and chemical properties of herbal medicines advertised as opioid withdrawal drugs [844]; LC-MS (Exactive-Orbitrap) to study degradation products in pasta and plant materials contaminated with Datura and Coca leaves [845]; laser desorption (LD)-LTP MSI platform for mapping mescaline in a San Pedro cactus (Echinopsis pachanoi) cross section, tropane alkaloids in jimsonweed (Datura stramonium) fruits and seeds, and nicotine in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) seedlings [843].

Psychotria viridis (and related species): 2017 spectroscopic (IR, H-1 and C-13 NMR, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY) and spectrometric (CG-MS and LCMS-ESI-ITTOF) analysis of extracts from leaves of Psychotria viridis [846].

Salvia divinorum: 2017 LC-MS/MS analysis of 40 Salvia species for screening their psychoactive constituents of salvinorin A and salvinorin B and genomic characterization [847]; 2019 review [848]; review of salvinorin A and some of its analogues [849].

Scopolia tangutica: 2019 LC-MS/MS method to characterize alkaloids from Scopolia tangutica [850]; SPE enrichment method to prevent co-elution of alkaloids from Scopolia tangutica (also applied to other plants) [851].

Sinomenium acutum: 2017 synthesis of (−)-sinoracutine [852]; 2018 review of modifications and bioactivities of sinomenine derivatives [853]; identification of 13 alkaloids by comprehensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR, HRMS and single-crystal X-ray diffraction data [854]; structural characterization of 45 alkaloids, including morphinans, aporphines, benzylisoquinolines, and protoberberines by HRMS [855];

Solanaceae: 2016 microwave-assisted extraction of atropine and scopolamine from Solanaceae family plants (Datura and Brugmansia genera) followed by QuEChERS SPE and GC-MS [856]; H-1 NMR-based metabolite profiling and quantification via HPLC-MS with focus on the tropane alkaloids were applied to compare leaf and root extracts of three wild types and two hybrids of Duboisia myoporoides and D. leichhardtii [857]; 2017 determination of tropane alkaloids (tropane alkaloids as atropine, scopolamine, anisodamine, tropane, tropine, littorine, homatropine, apoatropine, aposcopolamine, scopoline, tropinone, physoperuvine, pseudotropine and cuscohygrine) in cereals and solanaceaes seeds by LC coupled to single stage Exactive-Orbitrap [858]; 2018 simultaneous quantification of atropine and scopolamine in herbal tea and Solanaceae plant material by MALDI-TOF-MS/MS [859]; identification of 18 tropane alkaloids, 8 phenolic acids and related compounds and 7 flavonoids in extracts of L. pubiflora (of the Solanaceae family) by UHPLC-PDA-MS [860]; 2019 Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Light Microscopy (LM) 10 genera and 23 species of the Solanaceae family (Atropa acuminata, Capsicum decoraticus, Capsicum frutescens, Cestrum aurantiacum, Cestrum diurnum, Cestrum nocturnum, Datura alba, Datura innoxia, Datura stramonium, Hyoscymus niger, Lycopersicon esculentum, Nicotiana rustica, Nicotiana tabacum, Petunia alba, Petunia hybrida, Solanum erianthum, Solanum melongena, Solanum miniatum, Solanum pseudocapsicum, Solanum surratense, Solanum tuberosum, Withania coagulans, Withania somnifera) [861].

Stephania yunnanensis 2018 HPLC-DAD method for the determination of five alkaloids (protoberberine, morphine, aporphine and protaporphine alkaloids) in Stephania yunnanensis Lo [862].

1.3. Common groups or classes of compounds or substances (except synthetic cannabinoids and cannabimimetics)

Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATSs) and Related Phenethylamines (PEAs): 2016 A solid colorimetric sensor for the analysis of amphetamine-like street samples with a LOD of 0.002–0.005 g mL(-1) [863]; differential mobility spectrometry (DMS-MS/MS) analysis of nine structurally similar amphetamine-type stimulants compared to LC-MS/MS [864]; 22 amphetamine-derived synthetic drugs, mostly cathinones, were examined by GC-MS using two different derivatization methods (i) heptafluorobutyric anhydride (HFBA) and (ii) pentafluorobenzoyl chloride (PFBCl) [865]; 2017 statistical comparison of mass spectra for identification of amphetamine-type stimulants [866]; Indirect chiral separation of 8 novel amphetamine derivatives as potential new psychoactive compounds by GC-MS and HPLC [867]; Destruction of ATS in aqueous solution using gamma irradiation [868]; point-of-use detection of ATS with host-molecule-functionalized organic transistors (sensor) [869]; Statistical comparison of mass spectra for identification of amphetamine-type stimulants including amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDA, MDMA, phentermine, and psilocin [870]; chromatographic differentiation of the ring-substituted regioisomers of amphetamine and methamphetamine by supercritical fluid chromatography [871]; Identification of five substituted phenethylamine derivatives 5-MAPDB, 5-AEDB, MDMA methylene homolog, 6-Br-MDMA, and 5-APB-NBOMe, seized from clandestine laboratories and analyzed by LC-QTOF-MS, GC-MS and NMR [872]; analysis of synthetic phenethylamine street drugs using direct sample analysis coupled to accurate mass TOF-MS [873]; wearable sensor device for the rapid and sensitive detection of amphetamine-type stimulants [874]; quantum chemical investigation of neutral and cationic phenylethylamine, amphetamine and methamphetamine [875]; enantioresolution of 12 drugs (including phenethylamines) by CE [876]; investigation of characteristic mass fragmentation of 20 phenethylamine/tryptamine standards by MALDI/TOFM, GC-EI/MS and LC-ESI/MS [877]; LC-QTOF-MS, GC-MS and NMR for identification of phenethylamine derivatives seized from a clandestine laboratory, including 5-(2-methylaminopropyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran (5-MAPDB, 1), 5-(2-aminoethyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran (5-AEDB, 2), N,2-dimethyl-3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)propan-1-amine (MDMA methylene homolog, 3), 6-bromo-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (6-Br-MDMA, 4), and 1-(benzofuran-5-yl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)propan-2-amine (5-APB-NBOMe, 5) [872]; 2018 SUPRAS extraction approach for matrix-independent determination of amphetamine-type stimulants by LC-MS/MS [878]; use of CE coupled to TOF-MS for simultaneous chiral separation of amphetamine-type stimulants and ephedrine for the identification of chiral characteristics of methamphetamine seizures in Shanghai for inferring the synthetic pathways of drugs [879]; detection of t-Boc-methamphetamine (t-Boc-MP) by DART-TOF-MS and evaluation of the method in comparison with GC-MS and LC-TOF-MS [880]; effects of substituted benzaldehydes on the reaction to synthesize amphetamine type stimulants and identifies several new Akabori-Momotani by-products [881]; quantitative NMR method for detection and quantification of phenethylamines in supplements [882]; 2019 sensor for detection of amphetamine-type stimulants [883];

Barbiturates: 2016 Rotaxanes comprising a macrocylic Hamilton receptor obtained using active template synthesis; synthesis, spectroscopic and structural characterization of barbiturate anions using Raman spectral analysis [884]; FT-IR, multinuclear NMR (1H, 13C) and MS characterization of Barbiturate bearing aroylhydrazine derivatives [885]; 2017 LC-MS/MS method developed for the simultaneous determination of four barbiturates (phenobarbital, pentobarbital, amobarbital and secobarbital) in raw milk [886]; synthesis and characterization by H-1 and C-13 NMR spectroscopy [887]; 2018 GC-MS/MS method for quantification of phenobarbital [888]; 2019 evaluation of chromatographic and computational lipophilicity of barbiturate derivatives [889]; quantitative determination of the barbiturate [890]; synthesis of spirodihydrofuryl barbiturates and spirocyclopropyl barbiturates [891].

Benzodiazepines: 2016 Direct-EI-LC-MS/MS determination and quantification of benzodiazepines (diazepam, flunitrazepam, Valium®, Rohypnol®) in small residues of beverages collected at the crime scene [137]; Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) coupled with a back extraction step based on using an immiscible organic solvent applied to benzodiazepines for analysis by GC-mu ECD [892]; HPLC-UV method for simultaneous analysis of six benzodiazepines (chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, clonazepam, midazolam, flurazepam, and lorazepam) was developed for forensic screening of adulterated non-alcoholic drinks [893]; Six benzodiazepine samples (diazepam, chlordiazepoxide, midazolam, oxazepam, clonazepam, and nitrazepam) were separated and detected with LC-DART-MS [894]; 2017 voltammetric method was applied to analysis of benzodiazepines (BDZs) in the pharmaceutical preparations Lexaurin and Xanax [895]; Mercury-free and modification-free electroanalytical approach using boron-doped diamond electrodes for quantification of benzodiazepines, bromazepam and alprazolam [896]; Simultaneous quantification method for Escitalopram and Etizolam using LC-ESI-MS/MS [897]; UHPLC-ESI-TOF/MS method for the selective and sensitive separation, identification, and determination of selected designer benzodiazepines (pyrazolam, phenazepam, etizolam, flubromazepam, diclazepam, deschloroetizolam, bentazepam, nimetazepam, and flubromazolam) [898]; analytical cross-reactivity of 13 designer benzodiazepines in the CEDIA, EMIT II Plus, HEIA, and KIMS II immunoassays [899]; 2018 availability from Internet suppliers and motivations for use of three benzodiazepines (diclazepam, flubromazepam, and pyrazolam) [900]; fabrication of magnetic zinc adeninate metal-organic frameworks for the extraction of benzodiazepines from urine and wastewater [901]; 2018 LLE-LTP and PS-MS method to identify and quantify benzodiazepines in beverages [902]; determination of benzodiazepines in beverages using green extraction methods and capillary HPLC-UV detection [903]; spectroscopic properties of 4-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-ethyl-9-methyl-6H-thieno [3,2-f] [1,2,4] triazolo [4,3-a] [1,4] diazepine were investigated using FT-IR and FT-Raman techniques [904]; 2019 biosensor for determination of alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide bis, diazepam, oxazepam and clonazepam [905]; voltammetric sensor for determination of clonazepam, diazepam, alprazolam, chiordiazepoxide, oxazepam [906]; HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of three benzodiazepines [907];

Benzofurans: 2017 Differentiation of 6-MAPB and its positional isomer, 2-MAPB by GC-MS and GC-MS/MS [908]; 2018 experimental and theoretical FT-IR, FT-Raman, H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR and UV–Vis spectral studies on 2-DBAA [909]; 5MBOT characterization by FT-IR, FT-Raman, H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR and UV spectral studies [910]; synthesis and characterization of HBFAA by FT-IR, FT-Raman and NMR [911]; 2019 synthesis of a range of polycyclic benzofurans [912]; synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted benzofurans [913]; synthesis of substituted 2-methylbenzofuran [914]; one-pot synthesis of benzofurans and naphtho [2,3-b]furans [915].

Bromo-, Chloro-, and Fluoro- Amphetamines and Methamphetamines: 2016 discrimination of fluoroamphetamine regioisomers using a portable Raman spectrometer [916]; GC-MS-MS to differentiate ring-substituted bromoamphetamine analogues [917]; 2018 identification and characterization of 4-chloromethamphetamine (4-CMA) in seized ecstasy using HPLC-PDA and GC-MS; region-isomeric form was confirmed by H-1 NMR [918]; identification and characterization of 3-fluoroethamphetamine in seized material using FTIR, GC-EI-MS, HRMS, NMR and IMS [919]; 2019 computerized analysis of drug users’ forum posts for monitoring and early detection of trends specifically for 4-FA/4-FMP [920].

Cathinones: 2016 Analysis of 22 amphetamine-derived synthetic drugs (mostly cathinones) by GC-MS with LOD less than 2 ng/mL for each [865]; GC-MS Method for Detection and Quantification of Cathine, Cathinone, Methcathinone and Ephedrine [921]; wastewater analysis of 17 synthetic cathinones in four European countries using solid-phase extraction LC-MS/MS [922]; identification of thermal degradation products for 18 cathinones during GC-MS [923]; structure-related derivatization followed by GC-MS analysis of cathinone type synthetic drugs focusing on the most common pentedrone (PENT), 4-fluoromethcathinone (4-FMC), methcathinone (MCTN), 4-methylethcathinone (4-MEC), 3,4-dimethylmethcathinone (3,4-DMMC), and 4-ethylmethcathinone (4-EMC) [924]; analysis and quantification of mephedrone, methylone, butylone, ethylone, pentylone and MDPV by GC-MS [925]; chiral LC method was developed to separate and determine the enantiomeric ratio of synthetic cathinones present in “legal highs” acquired in old smart shops or over the Internet [926]; product ion MS/MS differentiation of regioisomeric side-chain groups in cathinone derivatives including propyl and isopropyl side-chain groups related to Flakka and MDPV [927]; review of synthetic cathinones including analytical methods [928]; characterization of cathinone derivatives, 4-fluoro-PV9 and alpha-PHP in seized materials by HPLC-MS and HPLC-DAD [929]; identification and characterization of a novel cathinone derivative 1-(2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl)-2-phenyl-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)-ethanone seized by customs in Jersey using GC-MS, LC coupled with high-resolution MS, NMR, and X-ray crystallography [930]; differentiation of the isomers of N-Alkylated Cathinones by GC-EI-MS-MS and LC-PDA [931]; 2017 Six acylation reagents compared for their derivatization potential towards nine synthetic cathinones followed with analysis by GC-MS [932]; identification and characterization of four synthetic cathinone derivatives via LC-QTOF-MS, GC-MS and NMR [933]; Identification and analytical characterization of nine synthetic cathinone derivatives N-ethylhexedrone, 4-Cl-pentedrone, 4-Cl-alpha-EAPP, propylone, N-ethylnorpentylone, 6-MeO-bk-MDMA, alpha-PiHP, 4-Cl-alpha-PHP, and 4-F-alpha-PHP by UHPLC-QTOF-MS, GC-MS and NMR spectroscopy [934]; LC-MS/MS method to separate the ortho, meta and para isomers of methylmethcathinone (MMC) and methylethcathinone (MEC) using a core-shell biphenyl analytical column [935]; comparison of six acylation reagents for their derivatization potential towards nine synthetic cathinones analyzed by GC-MS [932]; identification and structural characterization of four novel synthetic cathinones including alpha-methylaminohexanophenone (hexedrone, HEX), 4-bromoethcathinone (4-BEC), 4-chloro-alpha-pyrrolidinopropiophenone (4-Cl-PPP), and 4-bromo-alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (4-Br-PVP) in seized compounds [936]; review of alpha-Pyrrolidinophenones as a new wave of designer cathinones [937]; analytical properties of five pyrrolidinyl substituted cathinones: alpha-pyrrolidinononaphenone (alpha-PNP, 1), 4-chloro-alpha-pyrrolidinopropiophenone (4-Cl-alpha-PPP, 2), 4-chloro-alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone (4-Cl-alpha-PVP, 3), 5-dihydrobenzofuranpyrovalerone (5-DBFPV, 4), and 2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)-1-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)hexan-1-one (beta-THNPH, 5) identified by LC-QTOF-MS, GC-MS and NMR [938]; GC-MS, GC-MS/MS and GC-IR differentiation of desoxy cathinone derivatives [939]; differentiation of six dimethoxypyrrovalerone (DMPV) regioisomers using GC-MS, GC-MS/MS and GC-IR [940]; overview of Chiral and isotope ratio mass spectrometric analysis as applied to the synthetic cathinones [941]; 2018 Spectroscopic and crystallographic characterization of two cathinone derivatives: 4-FPD and 4-MEAP by electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry (MS) in MS(2) and MS(3) modes, gas chromatography-MS, infrared, Raman and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopies, X-ray crystallography, differential scanning calorimetry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy [942]; determination and long-term stability of twenty-nine cathinones and amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) using GC-MS [943]; review of new synthetic cathinones that have appeared on the illegal drug market during the period 2014–2017 - characterization by GC-MS and LC-MS/MS [944]; the synthesis and structural characterization by NMR and MS of a library encompassing 21 cathinones, 4 of which are not yet reported in the literature (N,N-dimethylbuphedrone(DMB) and N,N-dimethylpentedrone (DMP) [945]; review of analytical chiral resolution and biological differences between enantiomers of cathinone derivatives [946]; reviewed cases of analytically confirmed synthetic cathinones-related fatalities [947] NMR, FT-IR, GC-MS, HRMS and HPLC-UV detection, identification and full characterization of three cathinone derivatives, 4-MPD, 4F-PHP and bk-EPDP, purchased as bulk powder from online vendors [948]; enantioresolution of pentedrone and methylone at a multi-milligram scale by LC [949]; acid-base dissociation of six cathinones (2-methylmethcathinone, 3-methylmethcathinone, 4-methylmethcathinone, alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone, methylenedioxypyrovalerone, and ephedrone); and structurally similar 1-phenylethylamine by CE [950]; acidity of substituted cathinones (2-methylmethcathinone, 3-methylmethcathinone, 4-methylmethcathinone, alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone, methylenedioxypyrovalerone and ephedrone) studied by capillary electrophoresis [951]; synthesis and spectroscopic analysis (GC-MS, GC-FTIR, NMR and LC-QTOF-MS) of synthetic cathinone analogues [952]; review of analytical challenges in determination of cathinones [953]; comparison of single quadruple MS and PDA-UV detection interfaced to UHPSFC for the quantitative analysis of synthetic cathinones [954]; characterization of synthetic cathinone 5-PPDI using GC-MS, FTIR, HRMS and NMR spectroscopy [955]; review [956]; 2019 LC-LRMS/MS method for identification of synthetic cathinones in seized products [957]; SERS for the evaluation of 4-bromomethcathinone [958].

“Ecstasy Tablets” (that is, Tablets or Powders specified in their Titles or Abstracts as Ecstasy – these may in fact contain MDMA, a mixture of MDMA with one or more other Drugs, or only one or more non-MDMA Drugs): 2016 Chemical profiling of ecstasy tablets seized in the State of Sao Paulo (Brazil) by FT-Raman spectroscopy analysis and confirmed by GC-MS [959]; development of GC-MS for identification of 3, 4-MDMA impurities in ecstasy tablets [960]; 2017 identification of the need for more research on powder MDMA (Molly) use and purity [961] 2018 identification and quantification of MDMA and other psychoactive substances in ecstasy tablets seized by the Brazilian Federal Police by GC and quantitative H-1 NMR based on an internal standard approach (IS–H-1-qNMR) [962]; emergence of super strength ecstasy pills (MDMA) [963]; physical profiling combined with ATR-FTIR spectral matching, multi-component/deconvolution analysis and correlation were used prove that in five cases of tablets seized by local law enforcement forces in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil were genuine sildenafil tablets from a specific manufacturer, painted in a colorful way so that they could be marketed as MDMA tablets [964]; presumptive method for identification of drugs in seized ecstasy tablets (n = 92) using ATR-FTIR (attenuated total reflectance - Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) and partial least squares discriminant analysis [965]; seized ecstasy samples were analyzed to obtain their chemical profiles to determine origin of the seizures [966]; review of the most relevant analytical methodologies (sample preparation and instrumental techniques) used to determine the ecstasy components in complex matrices [967]; Chemical profiling of seized ecstasy tablets by determination of 25 elements by ICP-MS [968]; 2019 GC-MS and UV characterization of seized ecstasy tablets after screening using NIR and Mid-IR spectroscopy in combination with partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and-regression (PLS) to differentiate MDMA positive and negative tablets [969].

Ephedrines: 2016 fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay for detection of ephedrine [970]; a novel sensor for the determination of ephedrine [971]; evaluation of a molecularly imprinted polymer liquid chromatography column for the separation of ephedrine enantiomers [972]; determination of five alkaloids including ephedrine, norephedrine, and methylephedrine by HPLTC-ESI-MS [833]; fluorescence-detected circular dichroism spectroscopy of ephedrine [973]; differential mobility spectrometry for the differentiation of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine [974]; detection of ephedrine by HPLC, CE and GC-MS [970]; LC-MS/MS method for quantification of five ephedrines in supplements [975]; 2017 a new portable quantum cascade laser spectrometer to perform the automated recognition of ephedrines based on their vibrational absorptions [976]; detection of controlled amphetamines and ephedrines based on Laser Infrared Spectra [977]; Two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy for the identification of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine present in illegally adulterated slimming herbal products [978]; hydrophilic interaction LC-MS/MS for the analysis of ephedrine in a pharmaceutical solid dosage form available on the internet [979]; 2018 HPLC method for the simultaneous analysis of ephedrine HCl, guaifenesin and synthetic additives in syrup samples [980]; GC-MS method for quantification of ephedrine [981]; chiral and stable isotope ratios of ephedrine synthesized via the Akabori-Momotani reaction [982]; molecularly imprinted polymer for the detection of ephedrine [983]; 2019 sensor for detection of ephedrine in liquid and solid samples [984]; identification and characterization of three compounds obtained from ephedrine (Ephedrone (methcathinone) hydrochloride, N-acetylephedrine and N-acetylephedrone) using GC-MS, NMR, IR, RAMAN and X-ray Crystallography [275].

Ergot Alkaloids: 2016 detection of 25 ergot alkaloids in cereal samples by LC-MS/MS [985]; comparison of ESI and APPI coupled with LC-MS for the analysis of ergot alkaloids [986]; HPLC-FLD method for detection of five ergot alkaloids (ergometrine, ergotamine, ergocornine, ergocrypine and ergocristine) in animal feed [987]; UHPLC-HRMS for screening of ergot alkaloids in animal feed [988]; determination of the bioactive alkaloids tabersonine, serpentine, vindoline, catharanthine, tryptamine, and vincamine in Apocynaceae plants (C. roseus and V. minor) by LC-MS/MS [989]; 2017 review [990]; MALDI-MSI for imaging distribution of alkaloids [991]; review [992]; determination of three new ergot alkaloids by HRMS [993]; determination of the total ergot alkaloids in rye using HPTLC-FLD [994]; response surface methodology for the identification, screening and optimization of fermentation factors to produce ergot alkaloids [995]; identification of a new species by molecular and ergot alkaloid profile analysis [996]; identification of alpha-CPA by UHPLC Triple-TOF HRMS [997]; NIR hyperspectral imaging for the detection of ergot bodies in cereal flour [998]; 2018 LAESI-MS for detection of ergot alkaloids [999]; testing of 122 samples of rye grains harvested in three different regions of Poland in 2016 and 2017 for ergot and its alkaloids [1000]; a total ergot alkaloid EIA compared with HPLC-FLD for the determination of total ergot alkaloids [1001]; multi-laboratory study to determine applicability of HPLC-FLD and HPLC-MS/MS for the determination of ergot alkaloids in rye-containing breads [1002]; review [1003]; UHPLC-FLD method for the quantification of the six major ergot alkaloids and their corresponding epimers [1004]; ergot alkaloids determination using spectrophotometry and TLC [1005]; review of IR spectroscopy for the detection of ergot alkaloids [1006]; 2019 protocol introducing lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for internal standardization of the analysis of ergot alkaloids by LC-FLD [1007]; 2D LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of 350 pesticides, 16 mycotoxins, 6 ergot alkaloids as well as the growth regulators Chlormequat and Mepiqua [1008]; NIR and ATR-FT/MIR spectroscopy for the determination of major ergot alkaloids [1009].

Fentanyl Derivatives: 2016 Conformation of fentanyl and its five derivatives using the IEF-PCM and SMD [1010]; 2017 GC-MS, QTOF-MS, MALDI-Orbitrap-MS, NMR and IR for confirmation of the presence of acrylfentanyl in seized material [1011]; identification of acrylfentanyl in powder from a seized capsule, analyses by QTOF-MS, MALDI-Orbitrap-MS, NMR and IR [1011]; discussion of the characteristics of the Swedish drug market for fentanyl-analogues in general and acrylfentanyl in particular and acrylfentanyl related deaths between April and October 2016 [1012]; review of chemical properties and the synthetic routes, analytical methodologies for the identification of acrylfentanyl, as well as the limited information on the biological properties [1013]; characterization of b cis and trans isomers of 3-methylfentanyl and its three analogues by GC/MS, LC/MS and NMR [1014]; GC/MS and LC/MS/MS detection of ocfentanil in heroin purchased off the dark web [1015]; 2018 review of Ocfentanil and Carfentanil [1016]; identification and characterization of fentanyl derivative N-(1-(2-fluorophenethyl)-4-piperidinyl)-N-(2-fluorophenyl)propionamide (2,2-difluorofentanyl) by HPLC-QTOF-MS, GC-MS, FTIR and NMR [1017]; review of various formulations of fentanyl, properties of fentanyl and its derivatives, and toxicity [1018]; review of fentanyl derivatives and uses [1019];

2-, 3-, and 4-Fluorophenmetrazines: 2017 synthesis and extensive analytical characterization of five powdered samples advertised as 3-FPM that were purchased from 5 difference internet vendors and differentiation from synthesized ortho- and para-substituted isomers, 2-FPM and 4-FPM [1020];

NBOMe Compounds: 2016 The detection of NBOMe designer drugs on blotter paper by high resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) with and without chromatography [1021]; case series: toxicity from 25B–NBOMe--a cluster of N-bomb cases [1022]; HPTLC and GC-MS analysis of 25 C NBOMe in Seized Blotters [1023]; Detection of 25C–NBOMe using LC-QTOF designer drug screen and quantitated by LC-MS-MS [1024]; identification of 2,4,6-TMPEA-NBOMe by GC-MS, GC-HRMS, GC-HRMS/MS, UHPLC/HRMS, UHPLC/HRMS/MS, and (1) H and (13) C NMR [1025]; analytical characterization of 3,4-DMA-NBOMe (1), 4-EA-NBOMe (2), 4-MMA-NBOMe (3), and 5-APB-NBOMe (4) by MS, IR spectroscopic, and NMR spectroscopic data [1026]; chemical profiling of 25I–NBOMe TLC, UV–Vis, ATR-FTIR, GC-MS and ESI-FT-ICR MS [1027]; identification of 25X-NBOMe and analogues by GC-MS [1028]; 2017 Rapid screening and analytical determination of 25B–NBOMe and 25I–NBOMe via Cyclic and Differential Pulse Voltammetry [1029]; 25B–NBOMe and 25C–NBOMe by GC-MS, LC-MS(n), and LC-HR-MS/MS [1030]; Identification and quantification of 5 different 25-NBOMes (25B–NBOMe, 25C–NBOMe, 25D-NBOMe, 25H–NBOMe, 25I–NBOMe) via LC-MS-MS [1031]; synthesis of potential metabolites of 25C–NBOMe and 25I–NBOMe [1032]; UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis of twelve 2C-X, six 2,5-dimethoxyamphetamines (DOX), and fourteen 25X-NBOMe derivatives, including two deuterated derivatives (2C–B-d(6) and 25I–NBOMe-d(9) [1033]; identification of NBOMes and the analogous 2,5-dimethoxy phenethylamine structures by voltammetric methods in blotting paper seized from the drug market [1034]; modification of solvent delay window to prevent misidentification of 25I–NBOH as 2C–I with GC-MS [1035]; 25c-nbome: Case report and literature review [1036]; comparison of nano-LC-HRMS/MS to UHPLC for detection of 3,4-DMA-NBOMe and 4-MMA-NBOMe and metabolites [1037]; 2018 square-wave voltammetry for the quantification of NBOMes and their correlates, 2,5-dimethoxy phenethylamine structures in seized blotting paper [1038]; the analysis of illicit 25X-NBOMe from over 100 seizures in Western Australia [1039]; LC-HR-MS/MS identification of the phase I and II metabolites of 4-EA-NBOMe [1040]; LC-MS-MS confirmation of 251-NBOMe [1041]; 2019 handheld NIR spectrometer for discrimination of NBOMe and NBOH drugs absorbed in blotter papers using PLS-DA and SIMCA [1042]; 2019 SPCE electrochemical method for the detection of 25I–NBOH and full differentiation between 25I–NBOH, 2C–I and 25I–NBOMe [1043]; review [1044]; review of the main methods for the analysis of NBOMe compounds for detection in seized and biological materials for forensic and clinical purposes [1045]; the fragmentation patterns of NBOMe derivatives were analyzed using LC-QTOF/MS and the spectral data was used to establish a molecular networking map for NBOMe derivatives [1046].

Opiates: 2016 syntheses of new N-demethyl-N-substituted analogues (propyl, allyl) of 1-fluorocodeine and their 7,8-dihydro derivatives [1047]; Collison nebulizer as an ionization source for the MS analysis of opiates [1048]; comparison opiate recovery from acid hydrolysis and enzymatic hydrolysis followed by LC-MS/MS (toxicology focus) [1049]; synthesis of noroxymorphone from thebaine [1050]; synthesis of nororipavine and noroxymorphone via N- and O-demethylation of iron tricarbonyl complex of thebaine [1051]; 2017 investigation of the acid/base behavior of the opium alkaloid thebaine in LC-ESI-MS mobile phase by NMR spectroscopy [1052]; review of Piritramide [1053]; model studies toward the total synthesis of Thebaine by an intramolecular [4+2] cycloaddition [1054]; physico-chemical profiling of semisynthetic opioids characterized by combining pH-potentiometry and deductive methods [1055]; integrated continuous-flow synthesis of a key oxazolidine intermediate to noroxymorphone from naturally occurring Opioids (oripavine and thebaine) [1056]; a colorimetric sensor array based on unmodified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was developed for the detection and identification of multiple structurally similar opioids including morphine, codeine, oxycodone, noroxycodone, thebaine, tramadol and methadone in aqueous media [1057]; 2018 Opioids in expensive formulations are being favored over IR morphine both at the dispensing level and in their inclusion in national list of essential medications [1058]; isolation and determination of Opium Alkaloids by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic drop and HPLC-UV detection [1059]; novel retro-ene reaction via a [4.4.3]propellane intermediate containing a quaternary ammonium linkage [1060]; review of drug interactions with new synthetic opioids [1061]; crystal structures of Thebaine 6-O-demethylase in complexes with 2-oxoglutarate and succinate [1062]; abuse-deterrent Opioids [1063]; effects of ketamine and norketamine on the attenuation of morphine and oxycodone tolerance [1064]; review of abuse-deterrent Opioid formulations [1065]; identification of novel Opioid interferences using High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry [1066]; changes in consumption of opioid analgesics in Israel 2009 to 2016 focusing on oxycodone and fentanyl formulations [1067]; trends and characteristics of oxycodone exposures reported to the US Poison Centers, 2011–2017 [1068]; spatial pattern analysis of 3,396 locations of oxycodone positivity in drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) [1069]; impact of the introduction of tamper-resistant controlled-release (CR) oxycodone in April 2014 in Australia [1070]; review of the opioid class of NPS [1071]; review of novel synthetic opioids including N-(1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl)-N-phenylbutyramide (butyrylfentanyl), 3,4-dichloro-N-[(1R,2R)-2-(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl]-N-methylbenzamide (U-47700) and l-cyclohexyl-4-(1,2-diphenylethyl)piperazine (MT-45) [1072]; synthesis of MT-45, 2F-, 3F- and 4F-MT-45 as reference samples to confirm presence of 2F-MT-45, a fluorinated analogue of the synthetic opioid MT-45 in a single seized tablet [1073]; SERS for detection of trace quantities of fentanyl alone and as an adulterant in heroin [1074]; 2019 LC/TOF-MS for identification of opioids in surface and wastewater [1075]; review [1076].

Opiates (Bio-Engineered): 2016 review of the engineered biosynthesis of ditryptophenaline (dimeric diketopiperazine alkaloid), saframycin (tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid), strictosidine (monoterpene indole alkaloid), ergotamine (ergot alkaloid) and opiates (benzylisoquinoline and morphinan alkaloid) [1077]; review of microbial Benzylisoquinoline alkaloid synthesis and derivatization [1078]; yeast-based production of Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids [1079]; 2018 commercial production of opiate alkaloids in engineered microorganisms [1080]; development of fermentation-based opiate production using thebaine synthase to improve thebaine yield in engineered yeast [1081]; Inclusion of neopinone isomerase in yeast strains engineered to convert thebaine to natural or semisynthetic opiates [1082].

1-(1-Phenylcyclohexyl)piperidine (PCP), 1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)pyrrolidine(PCPy) and Arylcyclohexylamine analogues: 2016 Synthesis and analytical characterizations of N-alkyl-arylcyclohexylamines (3-MeO-PCP, 3-MeO-PCE and 3-MeO-PCPr) by GC and HPLC coupled to multiple forms of MS as well as NMR, UV-DAD and IR spectroscopy [1083]; 2017 Arylcyclohexylamines powders analyzed by LC-TOF-MS with detection of Methoxetamine and 3-methoxy-phencyclidine in all samples [1084]; synthesis of Methoxy and methyl-aminobenzothiazole derivatives of phencyclidine [369]; LC-TOF and LC-MS/MS for identification and quantification of MeO-PCP [1085]; 2018 analytical and pharmacological characterization of 3-MeO-PCMo along with five additional analogues, namely the 2- and 4-MeO-PCMo isomers, 3,4-methylenedioxy-PCMo (3,4-MD-PCMo), 3-Me-PCMo and PCMo using chromatographic, mass spectrometric and spectroscopic techniques [285];

Phenothiazines: 2016 LC-MS/MS method for the screening and confirmation of 28 veterinary drug and metabolite residues (nitroimidazoles, benzimidazoles, sulfones, quinolones, macrolides, phenothiazines, pyrethroids and others) [1086]; heterologous competitive indirect ELISA for the determination of five phenothiazines (chlorpromazine, promethazine and perphenazine, acepromazine and fluphenazine) [1087]; synthesis and characterization by H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR and ESI-MS [1088]; UPLC MS/MS method for 210 drugs (including phenothiazines) [1089]; 2017 simultaneous electroanalytical detection of Chlorpromazine and Thioridazine [1090]; ELISA method for determination of 5 phenothiazine drugs [1091]; SPE method for phenothiazines [1092]; ELISA for the detection of phenothiazines in animal feed [1093]; LC-MS/MS method for quantification of phenothiazines [1094]; 2018 SPE UHPLC-DAD method for detection of promethazine (PMZ) and chlorpromazine (CPZ) [1095]; CE coupled with ultraviolet absorption for the simultaneous separation of chiral phenothiazine drugs at nanomolar concentration levels [1096]; SPE method for phenothiazines and benzodiazepines [1097]; imprinted polymer based chemiluminescence array capable of simultaneous determining phenothiazines and benzodiazepines [1098]; chemiluminescence array sensor for the simultaneous determination of four phenothiazines and five benzodiazepines [1099]; 2019 continuous flow synthesis of a model phenothiazine antipsychotic [1100]; review [1101].

Phosphodiestrase-5 Inhibitors (PDE—5) – Cialis (tadalafil), Levitra (vardenafil), Viagra(sildenafil), and similar drugs: 2016 spectrofluorimetric method for determination of both tadalafil (TAD) and vardenafil (VAR) in pure and tablet dosage forms [1102]; HPLC-DAD method for the simultaneous determination of seven drugs including the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors: sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors: dapoxetine, duloxetine, fluoxetine, and paroxetine [1103]; HPLC-PDA and HPLC-MS methods for the analysis of genuine ViagraA (R), generic products of ViagraA (R), and counterfeit samples [1104]; immunochromatographic (IC) assay was developed based on polyclonal antibodies for determination of sildenafil and major analogues in herbal samples [1105]; LC-ESI-MS/MS method to identify phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors and their analogues in dietary supplements and food [1106]; HPLC-UV, GC/FT-IR/MS and HRMS for the isolation and structural characterization of a tadalafil analog (chloropropanoylpretadalafil) in dietary supplements [1107]; HPLC, QTOF- MS and NMR spectroscopy for identification and structural elucidation of three new tadalafil analogues found in a dietary supplements [1108]; GC-MS/MS mass for identification, confirmation and quantification of 6 phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors (sildenafil, dimethylsildenafil, homosildenafil, thiosildenafil, thiodimethylsildenafil and thiohomosildenafil) in dietary supplements [1109]; disposable potentiometric sensor for determination of sildenafil [1110]; UPLC-MS/UV method for simultaneous determination of sildenafil citrate and dapoxetine hydrochloride [1111]; 2017 colorimetry in identifying imitator products by comparing the color signatures of Viagra tablets with imitator sildenafil tablet [1112]; ultrasound-assisted (UA) dispersive nanocomposite solid-phase micro-extraction (UA-DNSPME) to determine trace levels of Sildenafil Citrate in water [1113]; pencil graphite electrode (PGE) system for the trace-level determination of vardenafil hydrochloride [1114]; two amperometric methods to determine Sildenafil Citrate in Viagra (R) and Generics, using Batch Injection Analysis (BIA) and Flow Injection Analysis (FIA) systems with a cell for Screen Printed Electrodes [1115]; LC-ESI-MS/MS for determining the synthetic phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil, and the active metabolite N-desmethyl sildenafil in water matrices [1116]; batch injection analysis with multiple pulse amperometric detection (BIA-MPA) used as a screening method on tablets containing sildenafil [1117]; analysis of Voriconazole and Tadalafil by HPLC [1118]; immunochromatographic strip for screening of tadalafil and its analogues in herbal samples [1119]; TLC and Raman for detection of PDE-5 inhibitors [1120]; SPE assisted reversed-phase dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction followed by LC-UV to simultaneously determine the concentration of sildenafil and its five analogues in dietary supplements [1121]; cyclic voltammetry method for determination of tadalafil [1122]; UHPLC-DAD and/or MS for the separation and determination of tadalafil and its impurities in pharmaceutical samples [1123]; SERS for screening of PDE-5 adulterants in health products [1124]; ESI-MS for the differentiation of enantiomeric tadalafil isomers without using chiral chromatographic separation [1125]; SERS to detect sildenafil drugs illegal added to water and liquid nutraceuticals [1126]; electrochemical sensing platform to determine tadalafil in herbal health products [1127]; 2018 review of PDE-5 inhibitors found as adulterants in dietary supplements and analytical methods for detection [1128]; SERS detection of PDE-5 in botanical dietary supplements after TLC separation [1129]; electrochemical sensor for determination of Tadalafil [1130]; PDE-5 linked Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles as a new adsorbent for magnetic dispersive SPE of ligands from medicinal plant samples before the analysis by UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS [1131]; SERS method for determining vardenafil and rosiglitazone maleate [1132]; magnetic nanodiamond/graphene oxide hybrid material for pre-concentration and sensitive determination of sildenafil in alleged herbal aphrodisiacs by HPLC-DAD [1133]; magnetic solid phase micro-extraction followed by SERS for determination of sildenafil [1134]; 2019 LC-QTOF-MS/MS for determination of sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil in illicit erectile dysfunction medications [1135]; U-HPLC-HRMS/MS method has been developed to simultaneously determine 59 PDE-5 inhibitors and their analogues [1136]; electrochemical sensor for determination of tadalafil [1137]; differential scanning calorimetry for chemical profiling of counterfeit medicines of Cialis and Viagra [1138]; sensor for simultaneous detection of various tadalafil adulterants in health food [1139]; LC-MS/MS method for screening for the presence of 80 PDE-5 inhibitors and analogues illegal sexual enhancement products available on the internet [1140].

Piperazines: 2016 HPLC-MS method to determine the trace residues of piperazine [1141]; HPLC method for characterizing of impurities (1-[4-[(2,4-dimethylphenyl)thio]phenyl]-piperazine) in vortioxetine confirmed by LC-MS, IR and NMR [1142]; HPLC-FLD method for determination of piperazine residues [1143]; synthesis of Sodium4-benzyl piperazine-1-carbodithioate and sodium4-benzhydryl piperazine-l-carbodithioate and characterization by FT-IR and multinuclear NMR (H-1, C-13) spectroscopy [1144]; 2017 GC-EI/MS/MS for determination of piperazine [1145]; UPLC-ESI/MS/MS) method for the detection of piperazine [1146]; 2019 spectral analysis of novel N-thioamide analogues of pyrazolylpyrimidine based piperazine using Mass, H-1 NMR and C-13 NMR spectral techniques [1147];

Steroids: 2016 LC-ESI-MS/MS method for determination of progesterone, testosterone, trenbolone acetate and zeranol [1148]; LC-MS/MS screening method for multi-class steroid hormone detection [1149]; detection of Detection and metabolic investigations of a novel designer steroid: 3-chloro-17 alpha-methyl-5 alpha-androstan-17 beta-ol in seized capsules using NMR, GC-MS and GC-MS/MS [1150]; HPLC-UV method for identification of corticosteroids in illegal cosmetics [1151]; LC-ESI-MS/MS for the simultaneous determination of six estrogens and six glucocorticoids in water [1152]; FPSE-UHPLC-MS/MS for the determination of four progestogens and six androgens [1153]; uHPLC-MS/MS for the analysis of sex hormones and corticosteroids [1154]; Stable isotope labeling - LC-ESI-MS/MS for quantitative analysis of androgenic and progestagenic steroids [1155]; LC-MS/MS method for selective and sensitive determination of estrogens [1156]; DLLME- HPLC/UV–vis for determination of estrogens [1157]; GC/EI-MS/MS and GC/CI -MS/MS analysis of anabolic steroids [1158]; MALDI-TOF-MS for the detection of steroids [1159]; PF-MEKC-UV for detection of steroids [1160]; 2017 CE and UHPLC to identify steroids [470]; LC-ESI-MS/MS for quantitative analysis of oestrogens (oestrone, oestradiol and oestriol) and androgens (testosterone and 15 alpha-testosterone) [1161]; LC-ESI-MS/MS for the determination of several corticosteroids illegally added to cosmetic products [1162]; LC-APCI-MS for determination of sterols and steroids [1163]; review of methods for isolation and characterization of brassinosteroids in plants [1164] analysis of anabolic steroids by LPPI-MS [1165]; identification of steroids in drug products using RP-HPLC-UV-detection and GC-MS [1166]; HPLC method for determination of steroids [1167]; 2018 GC-MS method to detect anabolic androgenic steroids (androsterone, nandrolene, dehydroepiandrosterone, 5a-androstane-3 beta, 17 beta-diol, dihydrotestosterone, testosterone, methenolone acetate, methandienone, boldenone and fluoxymesterone) in food supplements [1168]; differential pulse voltammetry and amperometry for steroids in commercial pharmaceutical formulations [1169]; considerations for validation of chromatographic mass spectrometric methods for the quantification of endogenous substances in forensics [1170]; availability and ease of purchase of illicit anabolic androgenic steroids and testosterone preparations on the Internet [1171]; UHPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of 12 hair-growth compounds (including steroids) in adulterated products [1172]; authenticity assessment of anabolic androgenic steroids in counterfeit drugs by H-1 NMR [1173]; SPE-HPLC-MS/MS method for analysis of two progestin metabolites, 17 alpha-hydroxypregnanolone (17OH-Delta 5P) and pregnanediol (PD), and 31 other natural and synthetic steroids and related metabolites (estrogens, androgens, corticosteroids, progestins) in river water and wastewater [1174]; 2019 characterization of apprehended formulations of anabolic androgenic steroids in either tablet, capsule or injectable forms using FTIR, GC-MS and differential scanning calorimetry [1175]; HPTLC-densitomeric method for the determination of nandrolone decanoate in a commercially available injection formulation [1176]; determination of designer steroids by HPLC-UV [1177]; TD-APPI for direct analysis of steroids at trace levels [1178]; LC-MS/MS for the detection and quantification of naproxen, methyltestosterone and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate residues [1179]; ciELISA and lateral flow immunochromatography for the determination of DHEA in slimming products [1180]; HPLC-UV for semi-quantitative determination of designer steroids [1177].

Tryptamines (see also Mushrooms): 2016 square wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry for determination of tryptamine [1181]; synthesis of synthesis of 3-(2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl)-4-hydroxy-4-arylthiazolidine-2-thione and 3-(2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl)-4-arylthiazole-2(3H)-thione [1182]; synthesis of functionalized 3-{1-[2-(1H-indol-3-yl) ethyl]-4,5,6,7-tetra-hydro-1H-indol-3-yl} indolin-2-ones [1183]; HPLC-DAD method for detecting terpenoid indole alkaloids in different parts and different developmental stages of Catharanthus roseus plants [1184]; Solid Surface-Room Temperature Phosphorescence (SS-RTP) for direct determination of the concentration of tryptamine in beers [1185]; RP-HPLC-DAD for determination of the biogenic amines tryptamine, putrescine, histamine, phenylethylamine, tyramine, cadaverine, spermidine and spermine in red and white wines [1186]; 2017 analytical characterization of 17 DALTs using NMR, GC quadrupole and ion trap (EI/CI) MS, low and high mass accuracy MS/MS, photodiode array detection, and GC solid-state infrared analysis [1187]; LC-MS method for quantification of Tryptophan [1188]; characterization of omega-N-methyl-4-hydroxytrypt-amine (norpsilocin, 1) using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry [789]; detection of 5-fluoro-DALT (5-F-DALT), 7-methyl-DALT (7-Me-DALT), and 5,6-methylenedioxy-DALT (5,6-MD-DALT) using GC-MS, LC-MS/MS and LC-HR-MS/MS [1189]; GC-MS analysis of 25,296 samples of which 436 were tryptamines; from these 232 (53.21%) were non-regulated (the most delivered non-regulated tryptamine was 4-AcO-DMT) [1190]; SPE-LC-UV-DAD for determination of tryptamines Ayahuasca, a potent hallucinogenic beverage [552]; use of tryptamine as a reactive matrix for the analysis of non-polar carbonyl compounds by MALDI-MS [1191]; UPLC-TQ/MS method for direct determination of biogenic amines tryptamine, putrescine, histamine, phenylethylamine, tyramine, cadaverine, spermine, and spermidine in wine [1192]; 2018 detection of 5-MeO-2-Me-DALT, 5-MeO-2-Me-ALCHT, 5-MeO-2-Me-DIPT using GC-MS, LC-MSn and LC-HR-MS/MS [1193]; investigation and comparison of mass fragmentation of 20 phenethylamine/tryptamine standards by means of MALDI/TOFM, GC-EI/MS and LC-ESI/MS [877]; trends in use of tryptamines-specifically DMT, alpha-methyltryptamine (AMT), and 5-MeO-DIPT (“Foxy”) [1194];

1.4. Synthetic cannabinoids and cannabimimetics [Notes: Compounds are listed either by their acronym or full name as was specified in their respective abstract – no effort was made to transcribe acronyms to full chemical names or vice versa. Articles that include both synthetic cannabinoids and/or cannabimimetics with other drugs are detailed separately.]

Individual Synthetic Cannabinoids and Cannabimimetics: 2016 identification and structure elucidation of a new synthetic cannabinoid, [1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl](naphthalen-1-yl) methanone using flash chromatography, GC-MS, IR and NMR spectroscopy [1195]; identify of a new designer drug thiothinone, [2-(methylamino)-1-(2-thienyl)-1-propanone] using GC/MS, LC/MS, accurate mass spectrometry, NMR and X-ray powder diffraction [1196]; synthesis and characterization of tN-(1-amino-3-methyl-1oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide(3,5-AB-CHMFUPPYCA) and differentiation from its 5,3-regioisomer using chromatographic, spectroscopic, mass spectrometric platforms as well as crystal structure analysis [1197]; LC separation method for the analysis of JWH-122 and its methyl isomers [1198]; identification of 3-benzyl-5-[1-(2-pyrrolidin-1-ylethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-1,2,4-oxadiazole (BzODZ-EPyr) by means of GC/MS, GC/HRMS, UHPLC/HRMS2, FT-IR and NMR (H-1 and C-13) [1199]; characterization of MDMB-CHMCZCA by various spectroscopic techniques including NMR spectroscopy and tandem mass spectrometry [1200]; 2017 selective SPE of four JWH synthetic cannabinoids (JWH-018, JWH-073, AM-1220, WIN-55) using computationally designed peptides and analysis by UHPLC-MS/MS [1201]; case review (39 cases) of the effects of synthetic cannabinoid UR-144 [1202]; separation and identification the 5F-PB-22 and its isomers using GC-MS, solid deposition GC-IR spectroscopy and H-1 and C-13 NMR spectroscopy [1203]; identification and characterization of 2-(2-(4-chlorophenyl)acetamido)-3-methylbutanamide [1204]; Identification of (1H-indol-3-yl)(2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropyl)methanone (DP-UR-144) in a herbal drug product using LC-MS, GC-MS and NMR [1205]; integration of NIR spectroscopy with chemometrics for the determination of AKB48 (N-1-Adamantyl-1-pentyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide) [1206]; 2018 GC-MS and GC-IR analyses of the methoxy-1-n-pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)-indoles: regioisomeric designer cannabinoids [1207]; Structural characterization and pharmacological evaluation of the new synthetic cannabinoid CUMYL-PEGACLONE using GC-MS. GC-sIR, LC-ESI-qToF-MS and NMR [1208]; chemistry and pharmacology of synthetic cannabinoid SDB-006 and its regioisomeric fluorinated and methoxylated analogues using LC-QTOF-MS [1209]; identification and characterization of an indazole-3-carboxamide class synthetic cannabinoid: 2-[1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamido]-3,3-dimethylbutanoic acid (DMBA-CHMINACA) using GC-MS, LC-HRMS, IR and NMR [1210]; detection of 5F-MDMB-PICA in “legal high’ products and human urine samples using GC-MS, LC-MS/MS and LC-QToF-MS [1211]; LC-MS/MS analytical method for 11 Phytocannabinoids in cannabis [1212]; electrochemical biosensor for the detection of JWH-073 [1213]; 2019 identification of 5F-Cumyl-PINACA (1-(5-fluoropentyl)-N-(2-phenylpropan-2-yl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide in herbal mixtures by NMR [1214]; synthesis and characterization of 5F-CUMYL-PICA, 5F-CUMYL-PINACA, and 5F-CUMYL-P7AICA by NMR, GC-MS and LC-QTOF-MS [1215]; characterization of 5F-Cumyl-PINACA in “e-liquids’ using NMR [1214].

Multiple Synthetic Cannabinoids and Cannabimimetics: [Note: Each year in this subsection is separated by a line space.]

2016 A flash chromatography separation followed by structural elucidation using GC-MS, GC-sIR and NMR analysis of an herbal mixture containing [1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl](naphthalen-1-yl) methanone and 5F-ADB [1195]; UHPSFC for the analysis of seized drugs and application for analysis of a mixture of 22 controlled synthetic cannabinoids, and the second group included JWH018 and nine of its non-controlled positional isomers [1216]; synthesis and spectroscopic analysis of synthetic cannabinoid analogues of 1H-indol-3-yl(2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropyl) methanone and 1H-indol-3-yl(adamantan-1-yl)methanone using GC-FTIR and GC-MS [1217]; enantioseparation of the carboxamide-type synthetic cannabinoids N-(1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide and methyl [1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indazole-3-carbonyl]-valinate in illicit herbal products using LC-HRMS [1218]; identification and characterization of alpha-PVT, alpha-PBT, and their bromothienyl analogues found in illicit drug products [1219]; 5F-AMBICA, 5F-AMB, 5F-ADB, AMB-FUBINACA, MDMB-FUBINACA, MDMB-CHMICA, and their analogues were synthesized and assessed for cannabimimetic activity [1220]; analysis of spice like products procured from German internet shops and analyzed by GC-MS for identification of THJ-018, THJ-2201, MAB-CHMINACA, 5F-ADB, 5Cl-AKB48 (syn.: 5C-AKB48), 4-pentenyl-AKB48, MDMB-CHMICA and 5F-AB-PINACA [1221]; synthetic cannabinoid use in a Norwegian Internet drug forum [1222]; synthetic cannabimimetics detected in smoking blends on the Bulgarian territory [1223]; structure elucidation of cannabimimetic designer drug, N-(1-amino-3,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(5fluoropentyl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-pyrazole-5-carboxamide using NMR and MS [1224]; ESI-FT-ICR MS analysis of nine samples of herbal extract blends, where UR-144, JWH-073, XLR-11, JWH-250, JWH-122, AM-2201, AKB48, JWH-210, JWH-081, MAM-2201 and/or 5F-AKB48 were identified in the positive ionization mode [1225]; analysis of the Canadian synthetic drugs market using multiple sources of data and three methods (georeferencing, economic modeling, and chemical composition analysis) to establish the scope, scale, and structure of synthetic drugs produced in Canada [1226]; GC-MS differentiation of six regioisomeric 1-n-pentyl-3-(dimethoxybenzoyl)-indoles representing potential designer modifications in the synthetic cannabinoid drug category [1227]; simultaneous determination of major Phytocannabinoids (THC, CBD, CBN), their main metabolites (11-OH-THC, THC-COOH, THC-COOH-glucuronide) and common synthetic cannabinoids (HU-210, JWH-018, JWH-073, JWH-250) using LC-MS/MS; electrooxidative transformations of 11 new indole and indazole synthetic cannabinoids in seized street samples and artificial saliva using cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry [1228]; identification and quantification of the nine cannabinoids by UPLC-UV and ion spray UPLC-MS-MS using multiple reaction monitoring [1229]; ESI-FT-ICR MS was applied to nine samples of herbal extract blends, where a total of 11 SCs (UR-144, JWH-073, XLR-11, JWH-250, JWH-122, AM-2201, AKB48, JWH-210, JWH-081, MAM-2201 and 5F-AKB48) were identified [1225]; identification and quantification of eight different synthetic cannabinoids (5-fluoro-AB-PINACA, AB-CHMINACA, AB-FUBINACA, 5-fluoro-PB-22, 5-fluoro-AMB, MDMB-CHMICA, EAM-2201 and STS-135 synthetic cannabinoids) in “spice-like’’ herbal mixtures using GC-MS and NMR, ESI-MS/MS, IR and UV spectroscopy was conducted for eight compounds [1230]; synthesis, pharmacological evaluation and analytical characterization of commonly encountered indazole synthetic cannabinoids AB-CHMINACA, AB-FUBINACA, AB-PINACA, 5F-AB-PINACA and their corresponding 2-alkyl-2H-indazole regioisomers using H-1 and C-13 NMR, GC-MS and UV–visible spectroscopy [1231]; DART-MS and NMR spectroscopy for screening and detection of synthetic cannabinoids in herbs and powders [1232]; micellar electrokinetic chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry separation and determination of 15 selected naphthoyl- and phenylacetylindole-synthetic cannabinoids and main metabolites derived from JWH-018, JWH-019, JWH-073, JWH-200 and JWH-250 [1233]; characterized of seized white powders for identification of 5F-AMB and PX-3 using H-1 and C-13 NMR, HR-MS/MS and Raman spectroscopy [1234];

2017 role of derivatization techniques in the analysis of plant cannabinoids by GC-MS [1235]; LC-MS/MS method for the analysis of 32 synthetic cannabinoids [1236]; identification of ten synthetic cannabinoids found in sixty-three different herbal blends seized by the Swedish police between October 2012 and April 2015 by NMR [1237]; review article [1238]; identification of eight synthetic cannabinoids (JWH-018, JWH-019, AM2201, JWH-122, 5F-AKB48, AKB48-N-(4-pentenyl) analog, UR144, and XLR11) in seized herbal products using DART-TOF-MS and LC-QTOF-MS [1239]; isomeric discrimination of synthetic cannabinoids by GC-EI-MS including carboxamide-type synthetic cannabinoids (APINACA 2-adamantyl isomer, APICA 2-adamantyl isomer, 5F-APINACA 2-adamantyl isomer, 5F-APICA 2-adamantyl isomer, 5Cl-APINACA, 5Cl-APINACA 2-adamantyl isomer, adamantyl-THPINACA, 2-adamantyl-THPINACA) and four 1-adamantyl derivatives (APINACA, APICA, 5F-APINACA, 5F-APICA) [1240]; determination of nine synthetic cannabinoids (MAM-2201, JWH-073, JWH-210, JWH-122, JWH-081, JWH-250, UR-144, XLR-11 and AKB-48-5F) in seized herbal materials using high-field to low-field proton NMR [1241]; mass spectrometric identification and structural analysis of the third-generation synthetic cannabinoids using LC-HR-MS(/MS) [1242]; structure identification and spectral characterization of four novel substituted cathinones: hexedrone [2-methylamino-1-(phenyl)hexan-1-one], 4-BEC [1-(4-bromophenyl)-2-(ethylamino)propan-1-one], 4-Cl-PPP [1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)propan-1-one], and 4-Br-PVP [1-(4-bromophenyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)pentan-1-one] in seized material using LC-HRMS, GC-MS and NMR [936]; analysis of 32 synthetic cannabinoids using LC-MS-MS [1236]; characterization of the synthetic cannabinoids CUMYL-PINACA, 5F-CUMYL-PINACA, CUMYL-4CN-BINACA, 5F-CUMYL-P7AICA and CUMYL-4CN–B7AICA using GC-EI-MS, LC-HRMS, IR and NMR [1243]; identification and quantification of synthetic cannabinoids in ‘spice like’ herbal mixtures using GC-MS, followed by in-depth characterization of 5F-Cumyl-P7AICA and CumylPeGACLONE by NMR, EI-MS, ESI-MS/MS, IR and UV/Vis [1244]; detection of 93 synthetic cannabinoids by LC-MS/MS [1245]; identification of synthetic cannabinoids including N-(1-adamantyl)-2-pentyl-2H-indazole-3-carboxamide (APINACA 2H-indazole analogue, 1), N-(1-adamantyl)-4-methyl-1-pentyl-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (AMPPPCA, 2), and N-(1-adamantyl)-1-(5-fluoropentyl)-4-methyl-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (5F-AMPPPCA, 3) by LC-QTOF-MS, GC-TOF-MS and NMR [1246]; cross-reactivity of poly- and monoclonal antibodies for synthetic cannabinoids by direct SPR and ELISA [1247]; determination of MDMB(N)-Bz-F and adamantan-1-yl 1-pentyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxylate (APINAC) in illegal products by HPLC, LC-HRMS, IR and NMR [1248]; identification of six synthetic cannabinoid derivatives including 1H-benzo[d] [1–3]triazol-1-yl 1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-pyrrolo [2,3-b]pyridine-3-carboxylate (NNL-3, 1), quinolin-8-yl 1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-pyrrolo [2,3-b] pyridine-3-carboxylate (5F-NPB-22-7N, 2), N-((1 s, 3 s)-adamantan-1-yl)-1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-pyrrolo [2,3-b] pyridine-3-carboxamide (5F-AKB-48-7N, 3), ethyl 2-(1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamido)-3,3dimethylbutanoate (5F-EDMB-PINACA, 4), ethyl 2-(1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamido)-3-methylbutanoate (EMB-FUBINACA, 5), and naphthalen-1-yl(9-pentyl-9H-carbazol-3-yl)methanone (EG-018, 6) using UHPLC-QTOF-MS, GC-MS and NMR [1249]; review [1250]; identification of JWH-018, JWH-019, AM2201, JWH-122, 5F-AKB48, AKB48-N-(4-pentenyl) analog, UR144, and XLR11 in herbal products using DART-TOF-MS and LC-QTOF-MS [1239]; identification and analytical characterization of four synthetic cannabinoids including ADB-BICA, NNL-1, NNL-2, and PPA(N)-2201using LC-QTOF-MS, GC-MS, FT-IR and NMR [1251];

2018 Correlation of vapor phase infrared spectra and regioisomeric structure in synthetic cannabinoids (twelve 1-n-pentyl-2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- and 7-(1- and 2-naphthoyl)-indoles) [1252]; synthesis impurity profiling using the combination of flash chromatography coupled with LC-MS, and multivariate data analysis for synthetic cannabinoids [1253]; detection of AMB-FUBINACA and alpha-PVP by Raman SERS [1254]; synthesis and characterization of seven cumyl carboxamide-type synthetic cannabinoids (CUMYL-PINACA, CUMYL-5F-PINACA, CUMYL-PICA, CUMYL-5F-PICA, CUMYL-THPINACA, CUMYL-BICA, and CUMYL-5F–P7AICA) using GC-EI-MS [1255]; colorimetric assay for (aminoalkyl)indole group-containing drugs was developed, based on the silica/sulfuric acid-catalyzed Ehrlich reaction of (aminoalkyl)indoles with p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde [1256]; LC-CAD method for unified quantification of synthetic cannabinoids in herbal blends and comparison with quantitative NMR results [1257];

2019 detection of 5F-ADB, Cumyl-PeGaClone and 5F-Cumyl-PeGaClone in herbal products by GC-MS and in-depth characterization of 5F-Cumyl-PeGaClone using NMR, EI-MS, ESI-MS/MS, R and UV/Vis [1258]; analytical differentiation of the indole ring regioisomeric chloro-1-n-pentyl-3-(1-naphthoyl)-indoles using GC-MS and GC-IR [1259]; synthesis and characterization of 5F-CUMYL-PICA, 5F-CUMYL-PINACA, and 5F-CUMYL-P7AICA by NMR, GC-MS and LC-QTOF-MS [1215]; determination of 4-chloro-N,N-dimethylcathinone (4-CDC) and its differentiation from 4-chloroethcathinone (4-CEC) and regioisomers of CDC (i.e., 2-CDC, 3-CDC and 4-CDC) and CEC (i.e., 2-CEC, 3-CEC and 4-CEC) were analyzed using GC-EI-MS, LC-DAD and FTIR and GC-CI-MS using methane as the reagent gas operated in positive mode [1260]; analysis of FUB-JWH-018 and five positional isomers having structures of 1- or 2-naphthoyl-substituted 1H-indole-3-carboxylates with N-substituted positional isomeric fluorobenzyl groups (2-fluorobenzyl, 3-fluorobenzyl, and 4-fluorobenzyl) using HPLC-QqQ-MS-IT-TOF-MS with electrospray ionization (ESI) in positive ion mode [1261]; on-line 2D-LC method that employed a Bonus-RP column in the first dimension (D-1) coupled with UV detection and a biphenyl column in the second dimension (D-2) coupled with QTOF-MS detection in full scan positive mode for separation and identification of isomeric and structurally related Synthetic Cannabinoids [1262]; identification of 5F-ADB and Cumyl-PeGaClon in “spice-like” herbal products using GC-MS and identification and characterization of 5F-Cumyl-PeGaClone using NMR, EI-MS, ESI-MS/MS, IR and UV/Vis [1258]; characterization of the thermal stability of six carboxamide-type synthetic cannabinoids (CUMYL-PICA, 5F-CUMYL-PICA, AMB-FUBINACA, MDMB-FUBINACA, NNEI, and MN-18) to identify thermolysis products [1263]; overview of cannabinoids including chemical structure and toxicity [1264];

Synthetic Cannabinoids and Cannabimimetics with Other Drugs (except when a minor part of a larger study): 2016 DART-MS method for the analysis of 11 NPSs including four cathinones, one phenylethylamine, and six synthetic cannabinoids [1265]; GC-PCI-MS/MS and LC-ESI-MS/MS databases of 104 psychotropic compounds, including 32 cannabinoid derivatives, 29 cathinone derivatives, 34 phenethylamine derivatives, and several other designer compounds [1266]; 2018 UHPSFC-PDA-UV-MS, and GC-vacuum UV as analytical approaches to synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones [1267]; 2019 identification of 5F-ADB and dextromethorphan in commercially available cannabidiol e-liquids by DART-MS and GC/MS [1268];

1.5. Polydrug A: mixed or unrelated individually named compounds or substances

[Note: Each year in this subsection is separated by a line space.]

2016 Investigation of a mixture containing Alprazolam, Codeine and Paracetamol using TLC and HPLC [1269]; Chiral separations of cathinone and amphetamine-derivatives: comparative study between CEC, supercritical fluid chromatography and three liquid chromatographic modes [1270]; detected cutting agents and the analytical methodology implemented by forensic laboratories (focused on cocaine and heroin) [1271]; chemiluminescence for simultaneous determination of paracetamol and codeine in pharmaceuticals [1272]; simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid, acetaminophen and codeine based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified with magnetic nanoparticles paste electrode [1273]; Profiling of 8 years of seizures in Switzerland (5875 cocaine specimens and 2728 heroin specimens) [1274]; SPME GC-MS method validated for 15 residual solvents in seized cocaine and heroin [1275]; GC-MS method for the detection and quantification of cathine, cathinone, methcathinone and ephedrine [1276]; Identification of 17 commonly encountered drugs (fentanyl, hydromorphone and morphine; anesthetic: baclofen, bupivacaine, ketamine, midazolam, ropivacaine and succinylcholine; and a mixture of other drug classes: caffeine, clonidine, dexamethasone, ephedrine, heparin, methadone, oxytocin and phenylephriner) in parenteral pharmaceutical preparations from a quality assurance and a diversion program by AccuTOF(TM)- DART-MS [1277]; LC-MS-MS method for the simultaneous determination of morphine, codeine, tuberostemonine, thebaine, papaverine, scopoletin, liquiritin, narcotine, gynaroside, hyperoside, hesperidin, isoliquiritin, liquiritigenin, luteolin, isoliquiritigenin, apigenin, formononetin and glycyrrhizic acid in traditional Chinese antitussive medication [1278]; colorimetric assay for the sensitive and visual detection of morphine and codeine using melamine modified gold nanoparticles (MA-AuNPs) [1279]; screen-printed electrodes for quantification of cocaine and Delta(9)-THC: adaptions to portable systems for forensic purposes [1280]; identification of unknown NBOMe drugs (25H–NBOMe, 25D-NBOMe, and 25E-NBOMe) three other phenethylamine-type drugs (25I-NBMD, RH34, and escaline), eight cathinone derivatives (5-DBFPV, 3,4-MDPHP, 3,4-dimethyl-NEB, 3,4-dimethyl-alpha-ethylaminopentiophenone, 3,4-dimethyl-alpha-PVP, 4F-alpha-ethylaminopentiophenone, bk-IVP, and bk-IBP), and a phencyclidine derivative (MMXE) as well as known compounds, 25I–NBOMe, ADB-CHIMINACA, 5F-ADB, and butane-1,4-diol analyzed by GC-MS, HRMS, and NMR [1281];

2017 Identification of five substituted phenethylamine derivatives 5-MAPDB, 5-AEDB, MDMA methylene homolog, 6-Br-MDMA, and 5-APB-NBOMe by LC-QTOF-MS, GC-MS and NMR [1282]; analysis of cutting agents in Australian seizures of cocaine and heroin over six years [1283]; HPLC with dual UV detection for the simultaneous quantification of methadone and cocaine [1284]; fast determination of codeine, orphenadrine, promethazine, scopolamine, tramadol, and paracetamol in pharmaceutical formulations by CE [1285]; fentanyl and U-47700 in Norco pills bearing a Watson imprint [1286]; identification and analytical characterization of U-47700-Et and 4-F-Pentedrone [1287]; SERS, Raman, and DFT analyses of fentanyl and carfentanil [1288,1289]; cold EI based fast GC-MS analysis of cocaine and heroin (focus on the optimization of flow programming) [1290]; analysis of cutting agents in cocaine and heroin drug seizures in Australian [1283], determination of LSD and 25h-NBOMe by Square Wave Voltammetry [1291]; SERS methods detect trace levels of Cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamine, and THC [1292]; colorimetric biosensor to detect methamphetamine and cocaine in biological and environmental matrices [1293] electrochemical oxidation of morphine and codeine by the application of a novel glassy carbon electrode modified with a hydroxyapatite-Fe3O4 nanoparticles/multiwalled carbon nanotubes composite (HA-FeNPs-MWCNTs/GCE) [1294]; stability of morphine and methadone in syringes analyzed by HPLC [1295]; synthetic agents off the darknet: a case of U-47700 and phenazepam abuse [1296]; method for determining synthetic sedative-hypnotics and sleep inducers, including barbital, benzodiazepam, zolpidem, and first-generation antihistamines, in adulterated products using Quadrupole-Orbitrap MS and UHPLC-MS/MS [1297];

2018 review of data regarding the use and effects of MDPV and alpha-PVP to highlight their impact on public health [1298]; separation of (R)-and (S)-enantiomers of methamphetamine and amphetamine by a fast LC-MS/MS-method using a Lux (R) 3 mm AMP 150 × 3.0 mm analytical column [1299]; dichloromethane doping-assisted photoionization for the detection of aniline, benzylamine, phenethylamine, amphetamine, and their structural isomers by vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectrometer (VUV-PIMS) [1300]; HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate), GBL (gamma-butyrolactone), norketamine, ketamine, phenobarbital, fenitoin and thiopental [1301]; detection of ethylphenidate, methiopropamine and methoxiphenidaine, the sedative etizolam and the third generation synthetic cannabinoids 5F-AKB-48, AB-FUBINACA, MDMB-CHMICA on letters impregnated with NPS [1302]; evaluation of detection efficiency of methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine in nanostructure-assisted laser desorption-ionization (NALDI) and desorption electrospray ionization in comparison to standard MALDI-MS [1303];

2019 HPLC-DAD for simultaneous detection and quantification of heroin, fentanyl and ten fentalogues [1304]; separation of R-(−)/S-(+)-enantiomers of amphetamine and methamphetamine using LC-MS/MS [1305]; fluorescence based lateral flow competition assay for the screening of four classes of drugs, THC, cocaine, opiates and amphetamine present in the sweat of a fingerprint [1306]; fluorescent probes for detection of Ketamine and Amphetamine in Latent Fingermarks [1307]; qualitative and quantitative analysis of methamphetamine, ketamine, heroin, and cocaine by near-IR spectroscopy [1308]; quantitation of low concentrations of three analytes (methamphetamine, cocaine, and papaverine) by SERS analysis [1309]; sensor to detect methamphetamine and ketamine [1310]; nanosensor for differentiation and determination of morphine and methamphetamine [1311];

2. Instrument Focus

Forensic Chemists must maintain familiarity with updates in current instrumental techniques and become versant in new, improved methods of analysis.

Improved/existing and new technologies are reviewed and applied to both routine and specialized analyses of drugs. In cases where improved performance is observed, case reports are generated for the forensic community.

2.1. Polydrug B: mixed or unrelated groups of compounds or substances

Named Groups of Compounds: 2017 Simulated IR Spectra of NPS, Amphetamines and Cathinones [1312]; GC-MS Identification of Designer Stimulants Including 2C Amines, NBOMe Compounds, and Cathinones [1313]; The detection and prevention of unintentional consumption of DOx and 25x-NBOMe at Portugal’s Boom Festival [1314]; theoretical Study of FITC and Cb [6] to detect Amphetamine and Cathinone [1315]; synthesis of novel beta-phenylethylamines and NBOMe derivatives and confirmation by H-1 and C-13 NMR [1316]; 2018 screening errors of the presence of cocaine heroin samples & pharmaceuticals [1317], 2019 LC-MS-MS method that combines synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones, etizolam, a designer benzodiazepine and mitragynine (kratom) [1318];

Abused Substances Illegally Added to Licit Pharmaceuticals, Herbal Medications, Health Supplements, and Foodstuffs (Notes: A) Specific, named compounds are compiled in their individual categories above; B) There are many dozens/hundreds of (highly repetitive) articles pertaining to adulteration of Chinese foods, food seasonings, health care supplements, sexual enhancement aids, Chinese Traditional Medicines, etc.; only a subset of these are included below): 2016 Amphetamine and derivatives in natural weight loss pills and dietary supplements with a modified QuEChERS extraction procedure by followed by CE-MS/MS analysis [1319]; review to discuss the current literature on food-derived opioid peptides focusing on their production, methods of detection, isolation and purification [1320]; H1-NMR detection, identification and quantification of adulterants (active pharmaceutical ingredients) in 160 herbal food supplements marketed for weight loss [1321]; development and validation of UPLC and LC-MS/MS methods for the simultaneous determination of anti-obesity drugs in foods and dietary supplements [1322]; analysis of trace amounts of adulterants found in powders/supplements RAMAN coupled to direct analyte-probed nanoextraction-nanospray IMS [1323]; LC-ESI-MS/MS method for the simultaneous detection of common synthetic drugs as adulterants in natural and herbal slimming products [1324]; LC-MS/MS analysis of 40 wt loss compounds adulterated in health supplements including bisacodyl, phenolphthalein, and sibutramine and its metabolites [1325]; banned and discouraged-use ingredients found in weight loss supplements [1326]; detection of adulterants in botanical dietary supplements by TLC combined with SERS [1327]; identification of chemical compounds in Mahuang-Fuzi-Xixin Decoction by HPLC-QQQ/MS/MS and HPLC-QQQ/MS/MS [1328]; comparison of HPLC-UV and CE analysis of weight loss supplements [1329]; HPLC method for determination of the ingredients in cough syrup [1330]; desktop ion trap MS coupled with PSI, ESI and slug-flow microextraction for direct analysis of illegal substances in various types of cosmetic and foodstuff samples [1331]; review of adulteration of dietary supplements by the illegal addition of synthetic drugs [1332]; 2017 Four experimental stimulants identified by UHPLC-MS in sports and weight loss supplements: 2-amino-6-methylheptane (octodrine), 1,4-dimethylamylamine (1,4-DMAA), 1,3-dimethylamylamine (1,3-DMAA) and 1,3-dimethylbutylamine (1,3-DMBA) [1333]; biosensor-based two-phase pharmacological profiling for discovery, monitor and control of natural products [1334]; simultaneous determination of eight alkaloids and oleandrin in herbal cosmetics by dispersive SPE coupled with UHPLC-MS/MS [1335]; validated UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap HRMS method for identification, confirmation and quantitation of illegal adulterated weight-loss drugs in plant dietary supplements [1336]; UPLC-PDA and an UPLC-MS method were developed to analyze 92 slimming aids (confiscated by customs) [1337]; a graphene tip solid-phase extraction UPLC-MS/MS method for determining fenfluramine, phenolphthalein, bumetanide, and sibutramine in slimming supplements [1338]; GC-MS method for the quantitation of caffeine and identification of other substances (including sibutramine, phenolphthalein, amphepramone and femproporex) in supplement products seized by the Brazilian Federal Police [1339]; review of the regulation of dietary supplements in the USA and issues of adulteration with phenethylamines [1340]; HPLC-DAD and LC-MS/MS for simultaneous determination of eight adulterants in weight management supplements and herbs [1341]; QuEChERS method coupled to LC-HRMS to determine pyrrolizidine and tropane alkaloids in honey [1342]; review of regulation of dietary supplements in the USA and issues of adulteration with phenethylamines (PEAs) [1340]; UHPLC-QJTOF-MS method to screen dietary supplements (liquid, capsule, powder, pill and tablet) for detection of 156 illegal drugs (58 erectile dysfunction drugs, 49 synthetic steroids, 26 anabolic steroids, and 23 anti-histamine drugs) [1343]; novel screening approaches utilized in the detection of adulterants in botanical dietary supplements (includes IR, near-IR, NMR, Raman, LC-circular dichroism, LC-MS, TLC-SERS, TLC-MS) [1344]; UHPLC-QJTOF-MS method for screening and confirmation of 156 illegal drugs (58 erectile dysfunction drugs, 49 synthetic steroids, 26 anabolic steroids, and 23 anti-histamine drugs) in dietary supplements [1343]; 2018 development of a new method for the screening of six drug classes (stimulants, anorexics, anxiolytics, antidepressants, diuretics and laxatives) as possible adulterants in dietary supplements by HPLC-PAD [1345]; GC/MS analysis of synthetic adulterants (adulterated with tramadol, caffeine, fluoxetine, rizatriptan, venlafaxine and methadone) in herbal supplements advertised as weight loss drugs [1346]; IR spectroscopy combined with ATR and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) detection and identification of multiple adulterants in plant food supplements [1347]; HPLC-UV for detection and quantification of undeclared withdrawn synthetic medications in counterfeit herbal medicines with confirmation by HPLC-PDA and MS [1348]; GC-MS method using hydrogen as a substitutive carrier gas for the detection of adulterants in traditional Chinese medicine and food supplements [1349]; LC-MS/MS method to detect and quantitate 14 anti-diabetic, 2 anti-obesity, and 3 cholesterol-lowering drugs in botanical dietary supplements [1350]; LC-QTOF-MS coupled to LC-MS/MS for confirmation and quantitation of active pharmaceutical ingredient in “natural” herbal supplements [1351]; GC-MS fingerprinting of nine herbal slimming pills assisted by deconvolution of two-way chromatographic signals into pure chromatographic and spectral patterns where peak clusters were resolved using multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares [1352]; UHPLC and GC/MS analysis of synthetic pharmaceutical adulterants in herbal weight gain supplements [1353]; review of the toxicity of compounds found in herbal dietary supplements [1354]; overview of the electromigration and miniaturized chromatographic methods for the analysis of dietary supplements including the determination of phenethylamines, contaminants and pharmaceutical drugs [1355]; HPLC-EIS-MS/MS method for simultaneous analysis of 15 key chemicals in slimming foods and herbal products [1356]; HPLC-UV method for detection and quantification of adulterants in herbal medicines with confirmation by HPLC-PDA and MS [1348]; HPLC-PAD method for screening of dietary supplements to identify of adulterants from six drug classes (stimulants, anorexics, anxiolytics, antidepressants, diuretics and laxatives) [1345]; HPLC-Q-TOF HRMS for analysis of 23 illegal adulterated aphrodisiac type chemical ingredients in health foods and Chinese Traditional Patent Medicines [1357]; 2019 detection of protoalkaloids in Chinese fruit by HPLC-UV [1358]; SPE directly coupled to mass spectrometry analyzers including Orbitrap and triple quadrupole to detect Solanaceae and other plants containing tropane alkaloids in contaminated baby cereals [1359]; LC-MS/MS for the simultaneous determination of pesticides, mycotoxins, tropane alkaloids, growth regulators, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids in oats and whole wheat grains [1360]; HPLC method for detection of illegal adulterants in ginseng pills [1361]; HPLC determination of adulterants(sibutramine, sildenafil, phenolphthalein, and orlistat) in herbal slimming products [1362]; review of Phenibut in dietary supplement purchased online as a potent psychoactive substance with GABA(B) agonist properties [1363].

Abused Drugs and Pharmaceuticals in Surface Waters and Municipal Wastewater Streams: [Note: Each year in this subsection is separated by a line space.]

2016 Analysis of amphetamine and methamphetamine in municipal wastewater influent and effluent using weak cation-exchange SPE and LC-MS/MS [1364]; Cross-reactivity of selected old and novel psychoactive substances (NPS) in an amphetamine and ecstasy immunoassay [1365]; analysis of Cocaine and cannabinoids in wastewater [1366]; cocaine and cannabinoids in the atmosphere of Northern Europe cities, comparison with Southern Europe and wastewater analysis [1367]; Cocaine, MDMA and methamphetamine residues in wastewater [1368]; occurrence of pharmaceuticals and cocaine in a Brazilian coastal zone [1369]; detection of Cocaine in Wastewater with DNA-Directed Immobilization Aptamer Sensors [1370]; refining the current excretion factors used for estimating methadone and codeine in wastewater by analyzing published data from the literature on the excretion of methadone, 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP), and codeine [1371]; diazepam stability in wastewater and removal by advanced membrane technology, activated carbon, and micelle-clay complex [1372]; investigating drug consumption by comparing epidemiological, crime and wastewater data in Germany and Switzerland [1373]; Use of wastewater analysis to provide investigative intelligence to law enforcement (study focused on cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine in Switzerland) [1374]; wastewater analysis used to estimate illicit drug use in Colombia [1375]; study to rationalize sampling methods for minimizing the number of samples required while maximizing information about temporal trends focusing on MDMA, methamphetamine, cocaine and methadone [1376]; direct injection and analysis of cocaine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and methamphetamine in wastewater by LC-MS [1368]; analysis of municipal wastewater for 4 stimulants: cocaine, methamphetamine, 3.4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and amphetamine; 6 opioids: codeine, morphine, heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone and methadone; 11 new psychoactive substances (NPS); benzylpiperazine (BZP), trifluoro-methylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP), methcathinone, methylone, mephedrone, methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), alpha Pyrrolidinopentiophenone (alpha-PVP), paramethoxyamphetamine (PMA), 25C–NBOMe, 25B–NBOMe, 25I–NBOMe; and cannabis between December 2011 and December 2015 [1377]; influence of sewer biofilms on transformation rates of drugs, 30 illicit drug and pharmaceutical residues were quantified [1378]; identification and quantification of Methamphetamine, benzoylecgonine (cocaine metabolite), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methadone, oxycodone and hydrocodone in wastewater samples and estimation using four statistical approaches (reporting censoring, Maximum Likelihood Estimation, Kaplan-Meier estimates, or complete data calculations) [1379]; Comparison of pharmaceutical, illicit drug, alcohol, nicotine and caffeine levels in wastewater with sale, seizure and consumption data for 8 European cities [1380]; wastewater-based epidemiology to detect spatio-temporal changes in the relative amounts of stimulants (amphetamine, methamphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), cocaine) used in seven locations in Belgium over 2011–2015 [1381]; development and validation of an isotope dilution-SPE-LC-MS/MS based method for the quantitative determination and characterization of a broad range of analytes belonging to different classes of psychotropic drugs such as benzodiazepines, antidepressants, stimulants, opiates and opioids, anticonvulsants, anti-dementia drugs, analgesics as well as the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac with quantification limits between 0.14 and 3.54 ng L-1 [1382]; enantiomeric profiling of 56 chiral drug biomarkers in wastewater with the usage of chiral liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, including enantiomeric separation for 18 pairs of enantiomers [1383]; sewage-based epidemiology investigating consumption of cocaine, benzoylecgonine, MDMA, marijuana and alcohol [1384]; refining current correction factors for back-calculation of the illicit drugs: amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA and THC in wastewater based epidemiology [1385]; analysis of amphetamines and cocaine in wastewater samples using LC-MS/MS [1386]; a method was developed for the analysis of opiates in wastewater samples using LC-MS-MS [1387]; LC-MS/MS analysis of 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrolidine (EDDP), fentanyl, norfentanyl, meperidine, normeperidine, methadone, phencyclidine and tramadol in wastewater [1388]; Wastewater based epidemiology using UHPLC-MS/MS to identify current trends in Finnish drug abuse [1389]; spatial and temporal consumption patterns of illicit drugs (heroin, cocaine, amphetamine, MDMA, methamphetamine, cannabis) and therapeutic opioids (codeine, methadone) in six Croatian cities by applying wastewater-based epidemiology [1390]; Australia-wide WBE monitoring to examine spatial patterns in the use of three illicit stimulants (cocaine, methamphetamine; and MDMA) by analysis of 112 daily composite wastewater samples by LC-MS/MS [1391]; 2011SPE-LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of samples collected from 77 sites to determine the occurrence of 22 drugs of abuse and metabolites in surface water from four Spanish River basins [1392]; review on the stability of illicit drugs in sewers and wastewater samples [1393]; extraction of main temporal features of ecstasy (MDMA) using FPCA and both Fourier and B-spline basis functions with three different smoothing parameters, along with PCA and WPCA with different mother wavelets and shrinkage rules [1394]; LC-QTOFMS method was applied for identification and quantification of popular stimulants: MDMA, mephedrone, 4-MEC, MDPV and mCPP in wastewater [1395]; LC-MS/MS to measure mephedrone and methylone (analog of MDMA) in wastewater sample using direct injection mode [1396]; quantification of the change of use for various classes of licit and illicit drugs by monitoring Athens’ wastewater from 2010 to 2014 [1397]; evaluation of using wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for assessing illicit drug use by comparing wastewater data analyzed by LC-MS/MS with that from a population survey [1398]; fully automated SPE-LC-MS/MS method developed and optimized for the quantification of 10 illicit drugs and metabolites in environmentally aqueous samples [1399]; population surveys measuring prevalence of use coupled with consumption data by wastewater analysis for cocaine, opioids, cannabis, methamphetamine and MDMA (ecstasy) from 2010 to 2014 in Italy [1400]; analysis of 23 substances in the wastewaters of Slovakia by LC-MS/MS including stimulants, opioid and morphine derivatives, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, drug precursors and their metabolites [1401]; identification and measurement of morphine in wastewater by SPE and LC-MS and determination of the morphine structure in solution be NMR and RDC [1402]; concentrations of 17 drugs of abuse, including cocaine, several amphetamines, opioid drugs, benzoylecgonine, and 2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrolidine were investigated in an urban watershed [1403]; wastewater analysis to measure the use of 12 licit and illicit substances in a small prison facility [1404]; review of neuropsychiatric pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs in wastewater treatment plants [1405]; Zerovalent iron and iron(VI for the removal of psychoactive pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs from wastewaters [1406]; analysis of drugs of abuse, cytostatic drugs and iodinated contrast media in the tap water by SPE-LC-MS/MS [1407]; surface water samples analyzed for amphetamine-like compounds, ketamines, cocainics, and opioids [1408]; comparison of contamination patterns of psychoactive compounds in sewage-affected groundwater [1409]; SPE followed by partial-filling micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography with UV detection for determination of human-based steroids in water samples [1160]; determination of hormones in wastewater by GC-MS [1410]; MAE-

2017 Persistence of alprazolam in river water according to forced and non-forced degradation assays: adsorption to sediment and long-term degradation products [1411]; Removal of alprazolam from aqueous solutions [1412]; tracing methamphetamine and amphetamine sources in wastewater and receiving waters via concentration and enantiomeric profiling [1413]; cocaine, MDMA, and MDEA in wastewater by hyphenated mass spectrometry techniques [1414]; cocaine and metabolites in hospital effluent using Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Micro Extraction (DLLME) and analysis by HPLC [1415]; reaction of four benzodiazepines (diazepam, oxazepam, nordazepam and temazepam) during water chlorination analyzed by LC-QTOF-MS [1416]; investigation of occurrence of diazepam and its metabolites, nordiazepam, temazepam, and oxazepam in samples collected from four rivers flowing through Beijing and all thirteen sewage treatment plants [1417]; influent and effluent wastewater samples from 24 major cities in China were analyzed for morphine, codeine and 6-AM [1418]; statistical approach to identify chemical transformation pathways of heroin and codeine in wastewater [1419]; tracing methamphetamine and amphetamine sources in wastewater via concentration and enantiomeric profiling [1420]; enantiomeric profiling of a chemically diverse mixture of chiral pharmaceuticals in urban water [1421]; a new analytical method was developed and validated for the extraction and analysis of MDMA and three of its main metabolites in wastewater [1422]; investigation of MDMA in Minnesota’s natural waters by HS-SPME-GC-MS [1423]; LC-MS/MS analysis of wastewater samples for 17 drug residues [1424]; Analysis of 19 selected drugs of abuse and metabolites, the by means of two methodologies based LC-MS/MS, to monitor the inlet at a wastewater treatment plant in Barcelona between 2011 and 2015 [1425]; wastewater analysis of drugs and psychoactive substances in the Tiber River in samples collected in May and June 2012, at six points of the river and analyzed by GC-MS [1426]; functional data analysis and wavelet principal component analysis on ecstasy (MDMA) wastewater data [1427]; bioaccumulation of 11 selected psychoactive pharmaceuticals (citalopram, clomipramine, haloperidol, hydroxyzine, levomepromazine, mianserin, mirtazapine, paroxetine, sertraline, tramadol and venlafaxine) was examined in Zivny Stream (tributary of the Blanice River, the Czech Republic) [1428]; removal of illicit drugs and morphine in two waste water treatment plants under tropical conditions [1429]; morphine, 6-acetylmorphine, and codeine were measured to estimate heroin abuse in major Chinese cities through wastewater-based epidemiology [1430]; investigation of the in-sewer stability of selected illicit drugs and pharmaceutical biomarkers [1431]; Illicit drug consumption in school populations measured by wastewater analysis [1432]; SPE-LC-HRMS was developed, validated and applied to detect twelve cathinones and one metabolites in different environmental samples including influent and effluent sewage and river water [1433]; determination of 89 drugs and other micropollutants in wastewater and freshwater by LC-MS/MS [1434]; LC-MS/MS determination of synthetic cathinones and phenethylamines, including N-ethylcathinone, methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), methylone, butylone, methedrone, mephedrone, naphyrone, 25-C-NBOMe, 25-I-NBOMe and 25-B-NBOMe in influent wastewater [1435]; NPSs in wastewater of major Chinese cities [1436]; 32 samples of wastewater were analyzed by LC-MS/MS [1437]; illicit drugs in water and wastewater and their removal during wastewater treatment [1438]; occurrence and distribution of five drugs of abuse and their metabolites, namely, methamphetamine, amphetamine, ketamine, ephedrine, and hydroxylamine in surface water [1439]; trace analysis of 14 anthropogenic organic compounds in river water, tributary water, and raw and treated wastewater [1440]; LC-HRMS identification of identified eight NPS belonging to the classes of synthetic cathinones, phenethylamines and opioids in wastewater [1441];

2018 diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) to simultaneously measure methcathinone and ephedrine in surface water [1442]; wastewater-based epidemiology and enantiomeric profiling for drugs of abuse in South African wastewaters [1443]; correlation of wastewater analysis (using UHPLC-MS/MS) and positive roadside drug testing results for MDMA and cannabis from December 2011–December 2016 in South Australia [1444]; LC-QTOF equipped with Sequential Window Acquisition of all THeoretical (SWATH) fragment-ion spectra was used to qualitatively screen 346 compounds in influent wastewater from two wastewater treatment plants in South Australia over a 14-month period [1445]; examination of the associations between the annual average purity of seized illicit drugs and their corresponding load measured in waste water in a South East Queensland catchment over a six year period [1446]; wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) and enantioselective analysis were combined to evaluate trends in illicit drug use in the context of their consumption vs direct disposal as well as their synthetic production routes in eight European cities [1447]; study of the occurrence and behavior of illicit drugs and their metabolites at two wastewater treatment plants located in Sicily, Italy [1448]; study of wastewater collected from two wastewater treatment plants in Barbados, with the detection of caffeine and ibuprofen at A mu g/L concentrations, two steroid hormones (i.e. androstenedione, estrone) and several prescription pharmaceuticals were detected at ng/L concentrations and benzoylecgonine, MDMA and MDA were present at the highest concentrations in untreated wastewater [1449]; analysis of wastewater samples from five Nordic capital cities by SPE-UHPLC-MS/MS and comparison with data published by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction based on illicit drugs in wastewater from over 50 European cities [1450]; Synthetic cathinones (methylenedioxypyrovalerone, methylone, mephedrone) and phenethylamines (4-methoxy-methamphetamine and 4-methoxyamphetamine) were incubated in individual reactors over a 24 h period and analyzed by LC-QToF-MS [1451]; simultaneous analysis of 27 opioid analgesics and their metabolites in municipal wastewaters and river water by LC-MS/MS [1452]; the impact of temperature on the transformation of illicit drug biomarkers in wastewater [1453]; tracking narcotics consumption at a Southwestern US university campus by wastewater-based epidemiology analyzed by LC-MS/MS [1454]; SPE followed by LC-MS/MS analysis of 37 legal and illicit psychoactive substances in wastewater, including the illicit drugs (cocaine-related compounds, amphetamine-type stimulants, hallucinogens, opiates/opioids, and cannabinoids), new psychoactive substances (two synthetic cathinones, the synthetic opioid AH-7921, and the arylcyclohexylamine methoxetamine), and legal but controlled psychoactive substances (stimulants, benzodiazepines, antidepressants, sedatives, antipsychotics, and hypnotics) [1455]; nineteen neuropsychiatric drugs, eight illicit drugs, and three metabolites of illicit drugs were detected and quantitated in the water samples using HPLC-MS/MS [1456]; pharmaceuticals, hormones, pesticides, and other bioactive contaminants in water, sediment, and tissue from Rocky Mountain National Park, 2012–2013 [1457]; bias in consumption monitoring of illicit drugs using wastewater-based epidemiology [1458]; simultaneous determination of 38 psychoactive drugs (including benzodiazepines, antidepressants and drugs of abuse) and related metabolites in raw wastewater using UHPLC-MS/MS [1459]; diffusive gradients in thin films technique for simultaneous measurement of methcathinone and ephedrine in surface river water [1460];

2019 method for the analysis of 44 selected pharmaceuticals in wastewater [1461]; LC-HRMS method to screen the wastewater samples for NPS [1462]; LC-HRMS method to screen the wastewater samples for NPS in order to determine spatial patterns [1463].

“Novel Psychoactive Substances” (NPSs): 2016 Overview of NPSs: chemistry, pharmacology, metabolism, and detectability of amphetamine derivatives with modified ring systems [1464]; overview of emerging and NPSs in the United Kingdom [1465]; qualitative distribution of drugs of abuse in 162 seized materials confiscated in the Italy after internet purchase between 2013 and 2015 [1466]; TLC screening method and GC-MS quantification of the active components for seized solid NPS samples, both in their pure form and in the presence of common adulterants [1467]; an overview of synthetic drugs and newly emerging substances [1468]; review of NPS in Italy and the distribution of drugs in seized materials analyzed in an Italian forensic laboratory in the period 2013–2015 [1466]; 22 recreational drug samples analyzed by GC-MS, HRMS, and NMR resulted in the detection of three NBOMe drugs 25H–NBOMe, 25D-NBOMe, and 25E-NBOMe, three other phenethylamine-type drugs 25I-NBMD, RH34, and escaline, eight cathinone derivatives 5-DBFPV, 3,4-MDPHP, 3,4-dimethyl-NEB, 3,4-dimethyl-alpha-ethylaminopentiophenone, 3,4-dimethyl-alpha-PVP, 4F-alpha-ethylaminopentiophenone, bk-IVP, and bk-IBP, and a phencyclidine derivative MMXE; 25I–NBOMe, ADB-CHIMINACA, 5F-ADB, and butane-1,4-diol were also detected in some samples [1281]; review of recent publications on NPSs [1469]; LC-MS/MS screening method for 143 NPS 143 compounds from different groups (number of compounds): cathinones (36), phenethylamines (26), tryptamines (18), piperazines (9), piperidines (2), synthetic cannabinoids (34), arylalkylamines (7), arylcyclohexylamines (3), aminoindanes (2), and other drugs (6) [1470]; GC-MS identification of NPS found in seized blotter papers [1471]; identification of two NPSs, a phenethylamine derivative 2-(4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)methyl] ethanamine (25I-NB 34MD, 1) and a piperazine derivative 1-(3,4-difluoromethylenedioxybenzyl)piperazine (DF-MDBP, 2), were identified in illicit products using LC-MS, GC-MS and NMR [1472]; 2017 Forensic in Silico Study of NPS: Amphetamines and Cathinones [1473]; NPSs by UPLC-TOF-MS [1474]; NPSs: types, mechanisms of action, and effects [1475]; Parallel artificial liquid membrane extraction (PALME) paired with UHPLC-MS for screening NPSs [1476]; multidisciplinary approach comprising LC-MS/MS, GC-MS and NMR analysis for the identification of three NPS including 1-(benzofuran-5-yl)-N-methylpropan2- amine, 2-amino-1-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl) ethan-1-one (bk-2C–B), and 3-(2-aminopropyl) indole (a-methyltryptamine) in seized materials [1477]; enantioseparation method for chiral separation of NPS compounds including cathinones, amphetamines, benzofurans, thiophenes, phenidine and phenidate derivatives [1478]; study of chemical composition and price of NPS compounds purchased online in 5 different European countries [1479]; PLS-DA and ATR-FTIR was developed to identify NPS drugs in blotter papers [1480]; review [1481,1482]; analytical methods including LC/MS or GC/MS and several immunochemical methods were developed in connection with the analysis of synthetic cannabinoids, cathinones and phenethylamines, and other NPS compounds [1483]; EASI-IMS and ambient ionization MS method screening of 25I–NBOH in blotter papers [1484]; NPS purchasing and supply patterns in Australia [1485]; 2018 review of historical accounts of the main classes of psychoactive drugs, several foundational total syntheses that provide the groundwork for producing these molecules in academic, industrial, and clandestine settings [1486]; separation of enantiomers of new psychoactive substances by HPLC [1487]; systematic review of the abuse of prescription drugs in the context of NPS [1488]; identification of NPSs by LC-HRMS/MS and GC-MS [1489]; review [1481]; review of NPS of natural origin [1482]; review of NPS [1490]; NPS used at music festivals [1491]; separation of structural isomers of NPS including 2-, 3-, and 4- structural isomers of fluoroamphetamine, fluoromethamphetamine, and methylmethcathinone, isomeric pairs of the synthetic cannabinoids UR-144/UR-144 degradant, XLR-11/XLR-11 degradant, JWH-015/JWH-073, and JWH-019/JWH-122, as well as amphetamine and several stable isotope-labeled amphetamine internal standards with UHPSFC-MS/MS and compared with UHPLC-MS/MS [1492]; syntheses, analytical characterization, and pharmacological evaluation of the positional isomers of new psychoactive substance 4-methylphenmetrazine (4-MPM) [1493]; identification of NPS by means of Raman spectroscopy coupled with Principal Components Analysis (PCA) [1494]; IMS and HRMS for the rapid identification of the last generation of NPS in seizures [1495]; review of Aminorex (5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1,3-oxazol-2-amine) and 4-methylaminorex (4-methyl-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1,3-oxazol-2-amine) [1496]; examination of 251 drug products that were submitted for analysis in 173 cases of suspected NPS-related intoxications [1497]; 2019 Raman spectroscopy for the identification and classification of seized Customs samples into three NPS families [1498]; review of screening methods for NPS compounds [1499]; X-Ray powder diffraction (XRPD) for the identification of NPS [1500]; IMS-MS combined with gas-phase hydrogen-deuterium exchange for characterization of NPS [1501];

“Hallucinogens”, “Hypnotics” (and similar generic terms): 2019 Raman for detection of hypnotics [1502];

“Illicit Drugs” (including “Controlled Substances,” “Drugs of Abuse,” “Illicit Drugs,” “Narcotics,” “Seized Drugs,” “Street Drugs” and similar generic terms):

2016 Sorption of structurally different ionized pharmaceutical and illicit drugs to a mixed-mode (C18/strong cation exchange-SCX) SPME microsampler [1503]; Chemical characterization and quantitative estimation of narcotic drugs in the seized illicit samples by GC-MS and GC-FTIR, identification of source and possibility of isotopic substitution [1504]; direct detection of trace amounts of illegal street drugs, namely p-chloroamphetamine, p-fluoromethamphetamine, gamma-hydroxybutyrate, ketamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone, p-methylethcathinone, methylone, and nimetazepam, in solution and also in real drug samples by DART coupled to Q-orbitrap MS/MS [1505]; determination of inorganic ionic profiles of three pharmaceutical samples and precursors of two illicit drugs (contemporary samples of methylone and para-methoxymethamphetamine) by CE [1506]; HR-MAS NMR for rapid identification of Illicit substances (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylcathinone (methylone), 4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone), 2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromoamphetamine (DOB) and 2-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl) methyl] ethanamine (25B–NBOMe)) in sized tablets and blotter papers [1507]; near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy coupled to chemometrics calibration to detect new psychoactive substances in street sample [1508]; results of analysis by a portable ultrafast CE for the separation of controlled substances are compared with the results obtained from a bench-top CE system with both a nominal mass ion trap mass spectrometer and an accurate mass orbitrap mass spectrometer [1509]; review of the clinical correlations and laboratory assessment of narcotic analgesics and common drugs of abuse [1510]; barriers to research on controlled drugs [1511]; simultaneous characterization of over twenty Illicit psychotropic substances in the air by GC-MS or HPLC-MS [1512]; 2017 Trans European Drug Information (TEDI) project analysis of illicit drugs and purity trends in Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, and the Netherlands [1513]; expansion of the Australian Illicit Drug Intelligence Program (AIDIP) to include a range of chemical signatures aimed at investigating the clandestine manufacturing methods and precursor chemicals used for synthesis of synthetic drugs [1514]; paper spray ionization in the positive ionization mode (PS(+)-MS) method to quantify eight illicit drugs MDA, MDMA, MDEA, meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP), methamphetamine, cocaine, LSD and dimethoxybromoamphetamine (DOB); as well as the relative intensity of methylene blue dye to chemically profile commercially available blue pens to date question documents [1515]; GC-MS method to identify illicit drugs in vape products [1516]; surfaces in 10 police stations were swabbed and analyzed by LC-MS/MS for illicit drugs and drug residues [1517]; mass spectral library search algorithm that identifies compounds that differ from library compounds by a single “inert” structural component for identification of illicit drugs [1518]; 2018 targeted and untargeted analyses of illicit drugs in 10,451 samples seized in the Province of Florence from 2006 to 2016 using GC-FID, GC-MS, LC-MS/MS [1519]; a comparative study of used syringes in Switzerland analyzed by GC-MS to detect drugs (licit or illicit) contained in the residual content [1520]; absorption factors (total mass attenuation coefficients, total molecular, atomic and electronic cross sections, effective atomic numbers and electron density) were computed in the wide energy region from 1 keV to 100 GeV for select narcotic drugs [1521]; rapid identification and quantification of illicit drugs on nanodendritic surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrates [1522]; differentiation of illicit drugs including methamphetamine, ecstasy, magu, caffeine, phenobarbital, and ketamine in vapor phase using fluorescent films [1523]; study of adulteration of psychoactive illicit drugs with lead and other active pharmaceuticals [1524]; review of chromogenic and fluorogenic probes for the detection of Illicit Drugs [1525]; identification of illicit drugs (cocaine, opioids, amphetamines and cannabis derivatives), some of their metabolites and 48 pharmaceuticals in indoor swimming pools using SPE-HPLC-MS/MS [1526]; LC-MS/MS to measure illicit, behavioral and antihistamine drugs in edible seaweeds [1527]; SERS-active platform for detection of illicit drugs (heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine) [1528]; 2019 field detection of Illicit substances in 304 samples using RAMAN during drug-checking service in electronic music events [1529]; CME-MS analysis of Illicit Drugs [1530]; ambient mass spectrometry and LC-MS/MS for the rapid detection and identification of multiple illicit street drugs [1531]; SPE-LC-MS method for the simultaneous detection of 20 drugs of abuse and pharmaceuticals in drinking water, including 15 NPS, three traditional illicit drugs and two antidepressants [1532]; thermal desorption acetone-assisted photoionization miniature ion trap mass spectrometer for on-site identification of illegal drugs at checkpoints [1533].

Pharmaceuticals/Counterfeits (with a focus on differentiation of legitimate versus counterfeit products, or for monitoring quality control for legitimate pharmaceutics; see also a significant number of citations concerning counterfeits under Phosphodiestrase-5 Inhibitors, above):

2016 JEOL DART-AccuTOF - MS method was developed to screen parenteral pharmaceutical formulations [1277]; 2017 a review of pharmacognosy through the centuries including identification, quality and purity [1534]; series of benzimidazole-piperidine derivatives were synthesized and structures of the compounds were elucidated by FT-IR, H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR, and HRMS spectral data [1535];

2.2. Instrument Focus

General Overviews and Reviews, and articles covering multiple techniques: 2018 overview of the application of chiral analysis in biological and environmental samples and their relevance in the forensic field [1536]; review of chemical “spot’ tests as presumptive illicit drug identification technique [1537]; 2019 review of the state-of-the-art technologies in forensic chemistry [1538].

Color Testing: 2018 presumptive identification of BZP, cocaine, PCP, fentanyl, opiates, piperazine-based designer drugs, and other heterocyclic amines of forensic interest using photoluminescent copper(I) iodide cluster compounds [1539]; 2019 centrifugal microfluidic devices using low-volume reagent storage and inward fluid displacement for presumptive drug detection of methamphetamine, codeine, heroin, cocaine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) [1540]; 2019 color assay for the screening of unknown drugs for drugs in street samples using a polydimethylsiloxane composite [1541].

Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART-MS): 2018 review of use in forensic and security applications [1542].

Electrophoresis (and Related Techniques): 2017 review of the capabilities of electrochemical methods for the separation (capillary electrophoresis) and determination (amperometry, the versions of voltammetry, and potentiometry) of narcotic and psychotropic drugs and their metabolites [1543]; chiral CE method development for chiral purity profiling of the four stereoisomers of tadalafil, tapentadol, and dapoxetine [1544]; 2018 Cyclodextrin-induced acidity modification of substituted cathinones studied by capillary electrophoresis supported by density functional theory calculations [1545];

Gas Chromatography: 2016 Vaporization enthalpy and vapor pressure of Fenpropidin and Phencyclidine (PCP) by correlation gas chromatography [1546]; 2017 Resolution of forty-three isomeric new designer drugs using GC - Vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy and theoretical computations [1547];

Infrared Spectroscopy: 2017 assessing the effect of spectra preprocessing on the efficiency of a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) application designed to screen for stimulant and hallucinogenic amphetamines, as well as for ephedrines, [1548]; 2018 Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy using a portable instrument (microNIR) associated with chemometrics models (partial least squares regression (PLS), principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA)) was applied to quantify cocaine, and to classify synthetic drugs by their functional chemical composition in 19 ecstasy tablets, 22 seals of designer drugs and 23 medicine samples [1549].

Ion Mobility Spectroscopy: 2016 IMS analysis of over 20,000 samples for trace detection of illicit narcotics (cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, MDMA and THC) relative to environmental background was investigated [1550]; new approach to reduce the false-positive responses commonly encountered in the field when drugs and explosives are detected for ESI-HPIMS [1551], low-pressure air dielectric-barrier discharge ion source for explosives, caffeine, cocaine and morphine [1552]; surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectroscopy (SALDI-MS) of low-molecular-weight compounds including aspirin and barbital [1553]; PSI-MS to analyze designer drugs directly on the surface of blotters [1554]; 2018 ambient pressure laser desorption-chemical ionization mass spectrometry for fast and reliable detection of Explosives, Drugs, and precursors [1555]; development of a plug-type IMS-MS instrument for detection of illicit drugs and explosives [1556]; Integration of paper spray ionization high-field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry for forensic applications [1557];

“Lab-on-a-Chip” (Microfluidics): 2018 microfluidic analytical devices for illicit drug sensing [1558]; proof of concept microfluidic devices for the detection of methamphetamine, codeine, heroin, cocaine, MDMA and MDA [1540].

Liquid Chromatography: 2016 method for simultaneous analysis of GHB, ketamine, norketamine, phenobarbital, thiopental, zolpidem, zopiclone and phenytoin (an anticonvulsant and antiepileptic drug) with LC-MS/MS [1559]; Enantiomeric separation of citalopram was developed using a reversed phase HPLC with sulfobutylether-beta-cyclodextrin as a chiral mobile phase additive [1560]; multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares analysis of HRLC-MS data [1561]; beta-cyclodextrin-based open-tubular capillary electrochromatography column and application for Enantioseparation of zopiclone, chlorphenamine maleate, brompheniramine maleate, dioxopromethazine hydrochloride, carvedilol, homatropine hydrobromide, homatropine methylbromide, venlafaxine, sibutramine hydrochloride and terbutaline sulfate [1562]; analysis of psychotropic drugs using an ultra-high-speed HPLC [1563]; 2017 Response surface methodology based on central composite design accompanied by multivariate curve resolution to model gradient hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography for separation of five major opium alkaloids [1564]; 2018 LC/MS/MS for detection of prohibited substances in exhaled breath [1565]; HPLC-DAD method to characterize thirteen common colorants from five key classes of dyes found in illicit ecstasy and diazepam tablets [1566]; 2019 reversed-phase liquid chromatography by using functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes for separation and analysis of barbiturates, steroid hormones and alkaloids [1567].

Mass Spectrometry: 2016 forensic applications of LA-ICP-MS [1568]; 2017 comparison of different GC-MS instruments, different injectors, ion sources, ionization modes, mass analyzers, operating modes, and acquisition modes, in order to find the optimal configuration in terms of sensitivity and precision [1569]; simultaneous analysis by Quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometry and UHPLC-MS/MS for the determination of sedative-hypnotics and sleep inducers in adulterated products (including barbital, benzodiazepam, zolpidem, and first-generation antihistamines) [1297]; GC-MS characterization of psychotropic substances (i.e., nicotine, cotinine, caffeine, cocaine, cannabinol, Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, amphetamine, heroin, and methadone) in dusts [1570]; analytical validation of a portable mass spectrometer featuring interchangeable, ambient ionization sources for high throughput forensic evidence screening [1571]; 2018 sheath-flow PESI for nondestructive profile analysis of dry samples, such as lines of ballpoint pen ink on paper, pharmaceutical tablets, instant coffee, brown rice, and narcotics [1572]; quadrupole mass spectrometer for field identification of gases and volatile/semivolatile organic compounds (VOCs/SVOCs) [1573];

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: 2016 investigation of the solid-state C-13 and N-15 NMR spectra for multiple crystal forms of acetaminophen, phenobarbital, and testosterone [1574]; 2018 application of a desktop NMR spectrometer to qualitatively analyze samples in drug-related cases to identify new drugs [1575]; detection and identification of designer drugs by nanoparticle-based NMR chemosensing [1576]; review of the use of NMR for forensic science applications [1577]; 2019 low-field(1)H NMR spectroscopy for elucidation of components present in seized drug samples (specifically NPS and other controlled substances) [1578].

Raman: 2016 Raman spectroscopy in forensic analysis: identification of cocaine and other illegal drugs of abuse [1579]; Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) methods to detect trace levels of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and THC [1292]; optimization of SERS for implementation into a microfluidic device for detection of drugs, specifically morphine, cocaine, and methamphetamine [1580]; analytical assays that combine plasmon-free surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and surface assisted laser desorption/ionization (SALDI) mass spectrometry (RaMassays) [1581]; integration of protein tethering in a rapid and label-free SERS screening platform for drugs of abuse [1582]; 2018 surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing of common forensic substances with commercially available SERS substrates and handheld Raman spectrometers [1583];

Spectrophotometry: 2016 THz-TDS method for the detection and identification of substances (amphetamine type) in real conditions [1584].

Stable Isotopes: 2016 review of the use of stable isotopes in forensic science [1585]; 2019 use of IRMS for drug profiling to establish origin of ephedrines used as precursors for illicit production of methamphetamine [1586].

Supercritical Fluid Chromatography: 2016 SFC-MS/MS as an orthogonal technique for improved screening of polar analytes in anti-doping control [1587]; 2018 review of forensic applications [1588].

Voltammetry: electrochemical behavior of phenobarbital sodium, paracetamol and their binary mixtures was investigated using cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry [1589];

X-ray fluorescence: 2017 portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) and visible near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) for unknown pharmaceutical substances and/or illicit narcotics [1590].

3. Miscellaneous Topics

Abuse Deterrent Formulations (see also numerous, specific examples under oxycodone and opiates): 2016 comprehensive review of currently available extended-release opioid drugs [1591]; study to examine the use of superabsorbent polymers as an abuse deterrent formulation to thwart extraction, filtration, and syringe ability attempts for abuse [1592]; identification of drugs in injectable formulations used in a diversion program by DART-MS and HPLC [1277]; 2017 study of the efficacy and safety or hydromorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets versus oxycodone hydrochloride extended-release tablets [1593]; comparison between prolonged-release oxycodone-naloxone and transdermal fentanyl [1594]; use of zein protein from corn as a pharmaceutical excipient for formulation of oral controlled-release matrices [1595]; 2018 review of the strategies used to confer abuse-deterrent properties on opioid abuse-deterrent formulations (ADFs) and the characteristics and supporting data for each of the available ADFs [1596]; relative abuse potential of crush-resistant prescription opioid tablets [1597]; statistical considerations in the evaluation of post-market studies to assess whether opioids with abuse-deterrent properties result in reduced abuse [1598]; efficacy and safety of titration with controlled-release (CR) oxycodone tablets in comparison with immediate-release (IR) morphine tablets [1599]; studies of abuse-deterrent opioids: lessons from oral and intranasal studies with morphine abuse-deterrent, extended-release, injection-molded tablets [1600];

Anions and Cations: 2016 10,000-fold sensitivity increase in chiral capillary electrophoresis: Cation-selective exhaustive injection and sweeping cyclodextrin-modified micellar electrokinetic chromatography [1601];

Body Packing: 2016 Fatal cocaine intoxication in a body packer [1602], use of radiology in the detection and monitoring of drug mules carrying drugs in both powder and liquid form [1603]; 2017 international smuggling of cocaine by body concealment (case report) [1604]; report of previously unreported heroin body packaging technique [1605].

Canines: 2018 review of canine teams in the fight against drug trafficking: contribution, strategies and recent trends [1606]; 2019 evaluation of the ability of twelve certified narcotic detection canines to detect confiscated illegal synthetic cathinones (bath salts) [1607]; physico-chemistry of scents and consequences for the every-day work of dog handlers and trainers [1608].

Clandestine Laboratories – Appraisals and Safety: 2016 review of published literature on the characterization of exposure at clandestine laboratories [1609]; review of clandestine produces heroin and amphetamine-type stimulant substitutes [1610].

Cryptomarket and the Dark Web: 2016 Wholesale of drugs on the cryptomarket [1611]; Norwegian study examining the role of online drug communities in the development of new drug trends (focus on synthetic cannabinoids) [1612]; role of the dark web in social marketing heroin [1613]; purity data for 219 samples purchased from the cryptomarket and analyzed by GC/MS [1614]; study of the online illicit drug market through the analysis of digital, physical and chemical data [1615]; Characterization of dark net marketplace purchasers [1616]; study documenting NPS for sale on the Tor site (Agora) from February to June 2015 [1617]; overview of the Canadian illicit drug market including the most prevalent illicit drugs vendors offer for sale and preferred destination countries [1618]; overview of internet sales of counterfeit medicines in Slovenia [1619]; use of a Python scripts to extract information about listings and sellers of illicit drug products online revealed more than 48,000 listings and 2700 vendors in 70 countries [1615]; case reports of heroin purchased from Craigslist [1620]; study of consumer motivations for purchasing illicit substances on the dark net [1616]; 2017 overview of on-line drug purchases and comparison of on-line with off-line purchased drugs regarding purity, adulteration and price through laboratory analyses of 32663 drug consumer samples (stimulants and hallucinogens) purchased between January 2013 and January 2016–928 of which were bought on-line [1621]; forensic drug intelligence through the study of the Australian virtual cryptomarket [1622]; trends in market dynamics of NPS within cryptomarkets [1623]; comparison of drug-related information posted on Pillreports.net and Partyflock.nl between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2015 to actual concentration found in ecstasy tablets were investigated for accuracy [1624]; analysis of the Australian cryptomarket in regard to drug products available for purchase and prices [1625]; study of buyers of illegal product from cryptomarkets focused on loyalty and repeat buyers [1626]; impact of online drug market [1627]; impact of the Psychoactive Substances Act (UK) on the availability of the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist MDMB-CHMICA from online suppliers [1628]; evaluation of the online market of non-prescription somatropin products [198]; review of the NPS market on the visible and hidden Web [1629]; 2018 natural language processing and machine learning to identify NPS and correlate patterns of co-mentions of substances across posts in online forums [1630]; data collected from a large e-commerce website for drugs over 305 days in 2014 and 2015 documents that drug dealers give away samples of all major substance categories and sample distribution increases vendor sales for prescription drugs and opioid-based painkillers [1631]; EMCDDA assessment of the pre- and post-control availability of 25I–NBOMe, AH-7921, MDPV and MXE, from data were collected by a semi-automated software tool (I-TREND SASF) on e-shops in national languages (Czech, French, Dutch, Polish and English) that offered shipping of these compounds into the respective countries [1632]; combination of data from the physical and cryptomarkets for forensic drug intelligence [1633]; geographic analysis of drug trafficking patterns on the tor network [1634]; illicit drug markets and distribution networks in Scotland [1635]; study of demographic characteristics, methods and preferences of buyers who purchase illicit drugs online in the Netherlands [1636]; effect of the rescheduling of hydrocodone on the online illicit market for opioids [1637]; study of the activity of drug sellers on cryptomarket discussion forums [1638]; market competition and the size and scope of drug vendors’ activities on AlphaBay [1639]; comparison of online trafficking of weapons to drugs on cryptomarkets [1640]; 2019 availability of fentanyl-type drugs on the dark web [1641]; study of the impact of the seizure of the original Silk Road and the shutdown of Silk Road 2.0 [1642]; limitations in metrics collected for evaluating threats and trends on the Dark Web [1643].

Drug Disposal: 2016 validated multi-drug determination using LC-MS/MS for the evaluation of a commercial drug disposal product [1644].

Drug Take Back Programs: controlled substances collected from a multi-state medication take back initiative between 2011 to 2015 [1645].

Education: 2017 development and implementation of a Forensic Science Education Toolbox in 6 language by the Euro4Science project consortium [1646];

2018 IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) periodic table of the elements and isotopes (IPTEI) including practical applications of isotopic measurements and technologies for forensic science [1647]; overview of the state of forensic science training and education and future needs [1648]; the state of forensic science education and practice [1649]; mobile augmented reality (MAR) assisted chemical education [1650]; 2019 reinforcing mass spectrometry concepts through an undergraduate laboratory exercise utilizing a direct analysis in real time enabled mass spectrometer [1651]; method of learning, teaching and assessing forensic peer review [1652]; state of forensic science with an emphasis on education [1653]; study looking at training on cognitive processes as an integral part of all forensic education [1654]; integration of Cloud Technology Integrated Learning with chemistry instruction [1655]; framework for enriching thinking and action in chemistry education [1656]; importance of the periodic system in the scientific and technological development of the chemistry [1657]; experiential learning model using a virtual chemistry laboratory to affect academic achievement [1658].

Electronic Drug Delivery Systems 2017 review of electronic drug delivery devices [1659];

Immunoassays: 2016 gold nanoparticles based multiplex lateral flow Immunoassay for detection of drugs of abuse [1660]; 2017 Cross-Reactivity of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine With DRI Amphetamine Immunoassay [1661]; Cross-reactivity of selected old and novel psychoactive substances (NPS) in an amphetamine and ecstasy immunoassay [1662].

Impurities and Impurity Profiling: 2017 impurity profiling of methylone and intermediate compounds synthesized from catechol [1663]; 2018 overview of drug profiling including implementation of new technologies and continued process improvements [1664]; detection of impurities in pharmaceuticals using ultra-high performance supercritical fluid chromatography with UV and MS detection [1665];

Labelling and Packaging: 2016 Study to assess the tampering potential of codeine combination analgesics on the market (containing codeine/non-opioid analgesics) by the extraction of codeine followed by analysis by LC-MS/MS [1666]; 2018 study to assess the tampering risk of tablets and suppositories containing codeine, tramadol and oxycodone [1667].

Legal Issues: 2016 impact of Texas’s September 2010 “pill mill” law [1668]; legal issues regarding what products are considered psychoactive under New Zealand’s legal market for new psychoactive substances (NPS, ‘legal highs’) [1669]; 2017 assessment of the concordance between illicit drug laws on the books and drug law enforcement in three states [1670]; examination of the pre- and post-control availability of 25I–NBOMe, AH-7921, MDPV and MXE [1632]; 2018 review of international drug control treaties [1671]; juror’s perception of the forensic scientists’ expertise and credibility during testimony [1672].

Precursors: 2016 Stereoselective method for the synthesis of derivatives of (2E)-3-(3-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylpent-2-enoic acid ((E)-2c, precursors for the synthesis of Tapentadol [1673]; impacts of US sodium permanganate and Mexico pseudoephedrine controls [1674]; effect of precursor control on retail street price [1675]; single analyzer precursor scans using an ion trap [1676]; 2017 capacitive biosensor was developed to monitor trace amounts of an amphetamine precursor in aqueous samples [1677]; data-driven machine learning approach to detect drug- and explosives-precursors using colorimetric sensor technology for air-sampling [1678]; combined colorimetric and gravimetric CMUT sensor for detection of Phenylacetone [1679]; portable infrared laser for the identification of psychoactive substances and of their main precursors [1680]; 2018 a sensor system consisting of a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer and a colorimetric array for detection of benzyl methyl ketone [1681]; a polyacrylonitrile nanofiber-based quartz crystal microbalance for detecting safrole, the main precursor for producing MDMA [1682];

Quality Assurance: 2016 approaches to the statistical evaluation and the interpretation and reporting of results in forensic studies [1683]; 2017 method to discover and correct errors in the NIST/EPA/NIH mass spectral libraries [1684]; 2018 importance of estimating the uncertainty of sampling in forensic interpretation of data [1685]; 2019 approach to proficiency testing that is designed to test specific aspects of the analytical process that are not typically addressed, specifically sampling [1686].

Safety 2017 fentanyl in the US heroin supply: a rapidly changing risk environment [1687]; 2018 determination of air quality inside police drug safes and drug storage areas using carbon traps extracted and analyzed by LC-MS-MS for a suite of 22 licit and illicit drug residues and 2 metabolites and GC-MS analysis for general volatile organic compound (VOC) residues [1688];

Schedule: 2016 Up-Scheduling of Alprazolam to a “Controlled Drug”: Interrupted time series analysis of the effect of rescheduling Alprazolam in Australia [1689,1690]; impact of codeine re-scheduling on misuse [1691]; comparison of Unintentional Exposures to Codeine and Hydrocodone Reported to Texas Poison Centers after reclassification of Hydrocodone to a Schedule II drug in the United States [1692] 2017 Alprazolam in fatal overdose following regulatory rescheduling [1693] 2018 utility of an alternate method used worldwide to assess the internal subjective effects of drugs to predict the abuse liability [1694];

Sensors (Biological and Instrumental): 2016 Domain Adaptation Methods for Improving Lab-to-field Generalization of Cocaine Detection using Wearable ECG sensor data [1695]; novel Tetrahydrocannabinol electrochemical nano Immunosensor based on horseradish peroxidase and double-layer gold nanoparticles [1696]; amperometric sensor for chlorpromazine based on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and polydopamine (PDA) composite modified glassy carbon electrode [1697]; 2017 Methods of preparation of ZnO-CNT nanocomposite and its application as electrochemical sensor [1698]; new electrocatalytic sensor for determination of diclofenac, morphine and mefenamic acid using synergic effect of NiO-SWCNT and 2, 4-dimethyl-N/[1-(2, 3-dihydroxy phenyl) methylidene] aniline [1699]; 2018 biosensor based on cadmium selenide/zinc sulphide core shell quantum dot modified with the redox protein cytochrome c (CdSe/ZnS-Cytc) for the photoelectrochemical determination uric acid, ascorbic acid, folic acid, barbital, glucose, epinephrine, and urea [1700].

Social Media: 2016 assessment of utilizing social media as a resource for automatic monitoring of prescription medication abuse [1701]; 2017 Exploring trends of nonmedical use of prescription drugs and polydrug abuse using unsupervised machine learning surveillance of Twitter by collecting 11 million tweets filtered for three commonly abused prescription opioid analgesic drugs Percocet (acetaminophen/oxycodone), OxyContin (oxycodone), and Oxycodone [1702]; methodology accurately identifying tweets marketing the illegal online sale of controlled substances [1703]; content analysis of tweets about marijuana [1704]; national substance use patterns on Twitter [1705]; data mining of 300,000 marijuana related tweets [1706]; patterns of twitter behavior among cannabis dispensaries and followers in California [1707]; Hidden Markov Model (HMM) for real-time topical filtering of tweets [1708]; 2018 trends in online information about cannabis and kratom on Facebook [1709]; content analysis of edible marijuana tweets [1710]; anomaly detection using Global Vectors on a Polish Internet discussion forum devoted to psychoactive substances [1711]; twitter survey on marijuana concentrate use [1712]; overview and analysis of social media that contribute to the popularity of NPS especially among young people [1713]; use of Machine Learning and Web Forensics tools to detect, classify and report illicit online marketing and sales of opioids [1714]; review of sales and marketing of NPS through social media [1713]; analyses on the use of encrypted messaging apps (e.g. Snapchat, Instagram and WhatsApp) to buy and sell illicit drugs [1715].

Soil: 2016 discriminating ability of forensic soil analysis techniques including X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and element analyzer-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA-IRMS) [1716]; review of soil fingerprinting including uses in forensic and criminal investigations [1717]; overview of forensic soil examination in Russia [1718]; 2018 LC/MS method to measure pentobarbital in soils [1719]; HPLC-HR-MS/MS for detection of ricin in soil [1720].

Surveys and Patterns of Drug Use: 2016 The stigmatization of ‘ice’ and under-reporting of meth/amphetamine use in general population surveys: a case study from Australia [1721]; cannabis, heroin, and cocaine dominate Europe’s (sic)24bn illegal drugs market [1722]; Survey of substance use in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) [1723]; Fentanyl Law Enforcement Submissions and Increases in Synthetic Opioid-Involved Overdose Deaths-27 States, 2013–2014 [1724]; Increases in Fentanyl-Related Overdose Deaths - Florida and Ohio, 2013–2015 [1725]; survey of drug use among the indigenous people of Australia [1726], drug use trends in Kelantan, Malaysia [1727]; trends in the distribution of Opioids in Puerto Rico, 1999–2013 [1728]; network scale-up approach to estimate the prevalence of illicit drug use in Iran [1729] examination of web-based forums used to discuss access over-the-counter morphine for misuse [1730]; survey of drug use among male sex workers in the Hunan Province of China [1731]; report on the lifetime use of specific NPS among nightlife attendees in the United States [1732]; survey of use of synthetic cathinones and 3-MMC in Slovenia [1733]; an overview of data available on illicit drugs and new psychoactive substances from European monitoring in 2015 [1734]; current status of the opioid epidemic in Maine using three data sets [1735]; results of a National Rehabilitation Centre cohort study indicating the pattern of substance use disorder in the United Arab Emirates in 2015 [1736]; 2017 NBOMe hallucinogenic drug exposures reported to the Danish Poison Information Centre [1737]; trends and correlates of cocaine use in the United States from 2011 to 2015 [1738]; Heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine exposures reported to US poison centers (NPDS): 2005–2016 [1739]; Codeine use among children in the United States: a nationally representative study from 1996 to 2013 [1740]; Fentanyl use in Australia [1741]; misuse of Fentanyl among those in opioid maintenance treatment programs [1742]; estimating the magnitude of illicit fentanyl use from 2012 to 2016 using a national opioid abuse surveillance system [1743]; overdose deaths related to fentanyl in Ohio, January–February 2017 [1744]; fentanyl-involved drug overdose deaths in Rhode Island, USA [1745]; fentanyl laced heroin in relation to a spike in heroin overdose in Miami-Dade County [1746]; patterns and perceptions of fentanyl exposure among opioid users in Rhode Island [1747]; Heroin overdose rates in the United States from 2006-2015 [1748]; 2006–2015 trends in deaths involving heroin and synthetic opioids in the United States [1749]; geographical trends of heroin use across the United States [1750]; fentanyl laced heroin deaths in Australia in 2015 [1751]; analysis of opioid overdose deaths in Australia between 2001-2012 [1752]; analysis of opioid and heroin deaths reported in the US in 2014 and analysis of geographical changes from 2008-2014 [1753]; study of changes in overdose deaths related to heroin and fentanyl in Kentucky from 2011-2015 [1754]; study of heroin and fentanyl related overdoses in relation to prescription opioids [1755]; study of accessibility of heroin in the United States among adolescents between 2002-2014 [1756]; surveillance of mephedrone, MDMA and cocaine in the UK [1757]; study of the shift of drug use from ecstasy tablets to MDMA crystals [1758]; consumption patterns of NPS by nightlife attendees in Munich [1759]; patterns of substance use and abuse among French adolescents [1760] increasing use of crystal MDMA in Australia [1761]; population-based study of Australian young adult illicit stimulant users [1762]; survey of 679 individuals ages 18–25 regarding the use of Molly at electronic dance music parties in New York City in 2015 [1763]; shifting trends in the characteristics of ecstasy users in the United States [1764]; Molly use among a sample of college students (N = 151; 66.7% female) aged 18 to 25 years who reported previously using Molly over three separate periods of time, October to November 2014, February to April 2015, and September to November 2015 [1765]; the changes in classical illicit and licit drug, as well as stimulant designer drug consumption of suspected drug users in South-East Hungary between 2008 and 2015 [1766]; changes in classical illicit and licit drug, as well as stimulant designer drug (SDD) consumption of suspected drug users in South-East Hungary between 2008 and 2015 [1766]; French national OPPIDUM program as a surveillance system on drug abuse [1767]; trends in opioid consumption in Taiwan during 2002–2014 [1768]; comparative analysis of Opioid queries on Erowid.org as a mechanism to identify emerging trends [1769]; study was to explore self-reported experiences of three commonly used NPS classes within the Australian context (synthetic cathinones, hallucinogenic phenethylamines and hallucinogenic tryptamines) relative to traditional illicit drug counterparts [1770]; French national OPPIDUM program as a Surveillance system on drug abuse [1767]; opioid analgesic misuse and abuse in participants from the Global Drug Survey [1771]; relative abuse ratios were calculated for hydrocodone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, and morphine using negative binomial regression [1772]; geographic patterns of drug poisoning deaths involving heroin by county for the USA from 2000 to 2014 [1773]; survey on patterns of use of illicit substances in Germany [1774]; 2018 survey of 1045 nightclub/festival-attending adults in New York City regarding their awareness that ecstasy/MDMA/Molly were the same compound in different forms [1775]; consumption trends of three groups of analgesics (non-opioids, and mild and strong opioids) between 2006 and 2015 in France compared to the pattern of use with six European countries in 2015 [1776]; study to characterize diversion of prescription drugs in France through a comparative analysis of falsified prescriptions collected during three periods from 2001 to 2012 [1777]; study to examine changes in the polydrug use pattern in Norway in 2000 and 2009 [1778]; Surveillance of drug abuse in Hong Kong using LC-MS/MS [1779]; trends in opioid utilization in Australia, 2006–2015 [1780].

Other: 2016 Development of a dual test procedure for DNA typing and methamphetamine detection using a trace amount of stimulant-containing blood from the syringe used to inject the drug [1781]; 2017 Developing Data to Transform Death Prevention: Lessons from the Fentanyl Crisis [1782]; literature review on Captagon as a stimulant in terrorist attacks and civil war zones [1783]; typology method for distinguishing presence of fentanyl [1784]; 2018 implementation of workflow mechanisms that are in place in order to facilitate the monitoring, communication and management of analytical data and overview of collaboration of the Joint Research Centre and European Customs laboratories for the identification of new psychoactive substances [1785]; noninvasive detection of cocaine and heroin use with single fingerprints: determination of an environmental cutoff [1786]; detection of exogenous substances in latent fingermarks using AgLDI IMS [1787].

Disclaimer

This is a republication in journal form of a conference proceeding that was produced for the 19th Interpol Forensic Science Managers Symposium in 2019 and was originally published online at the Interpol website: https://www.interpol.int/content/download/14458/file/Interpol Review Papers 2019.pdf. The publication process was coordinated for the Symposium by the Interpol Organizing Committee and the proceeding was not individually commissioned or externally reviewed by the journal. The article provides a summation of published literature from the previous 3 years (2016-2019) in the field of controlled substances and does not contain any experimental data. Any opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their agencies, institutions, governments, Interpol, or the journal.

Declaration of Competing Interests

The authors have no competing interests to declare.