A review of chemical ‘spot’ tests: A presumptive illicit drug identification technique

Philp, M; Fu, S

A review of chemical ‘spot’ tests: A presumptive illicit drug identification technique

Philp, M

Fu, S

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Drug Testing and Analysis, 2018, 10 (1), pp. 95 - 108
Issue Date:: 2018-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Philp, M https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6308-1635	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Fu, S https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6238-3612	en_US
dc.date.available	2020-05-25T19:09:55Z
dc.date.issued	2018-01-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Drug Testing and Analysis, 2018, 10 (1), pp. 95 - 108	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1942-7603	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/123158
dc.description.abstract	Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Chemical ‘spot’ tests are a presumptive illicit drug identification technique commonly used by law enforcement, border security personnel, and forensic laboratories. The simplicity, low cost, and rapid results afforded by these tests make them particularly attractive for presumptive identification globally. In this paper, we review the development of these long-established methods and discuss color test recommendations and guidelines. A search of the scientific literature revealed the chemical reactions occurring in many color tests are either not actively investigated or reported as unknown. Today, color tests face many challenges, from the appearance of new psychoactive substances to concerns regarding selectivity, sensitivity, and safety. Advances in technology have seen color test reagents used in digital image color analysis, solid sensors, and microfluidic devices for illicit drug detection. This summarizes current research and suggests the future of presumptive color testing.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Drug Testing and Analysis	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1002/dta.2300	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Analytical Chemistry	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Street Drugs	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Indicators and Reagents	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Colorimetry	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Substance Abuse Detection	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Color	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Illicit Drugs	en_US
dc.title	A review of chemical ‘spot’ tests: A presumptive illicit drug identification technique	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	1	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	10	en_US
utslib.for	0301 Analytical Chemistry	en_US
utslib.for	1115 Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	0601 Biochemistry and Cell Biology	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CCET - Centre for Clean Energy Technology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CFS - Centre for Forensic Science
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	1	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	10	en_US

Abstract:

Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Chemical ‘spot’ tests are a presumptive illicit drug identification technique commonly used by law enforcement, border security personnel, and forensic laboratories. The simplicity, low cost, and rapid results afforded by these tests make them particularly attractive for presumptive identification globally. In this paper, we review the development of these long-established methods and discuss color test recommendations and guidelines. A search of the scientific literature revealed the chemical reactions occurring in many color tests are either not actively investigated or reported as unknown. Today, color tests face many challenges, from the appearance of new psychoactive substances to concerns regarding selectivity, sensitivity, and safety. Advances in technology have seen color test reagents used in digital image color analysis, solid sensors, and microfluidic devices for illicit drug detection. This summarizes current research and suggests the future of presumptive color testing.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/123158