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May 29, 2025
ASTM International’s forensic sciences committee (E30) is developing a proposed standard that will help forensic analysts of seized drug evidence better evaluate which methodology to use when addressing detection/identification limitations within laboratories. The proposed standard (WK93971) is based on an interlaboratory study that was developed to help labs understand the potential impact of the test method described.
“The illicit drug landscape of today’s world is mainly composed of synthetic drugs, often with substances of very similar chemical structures,” says ASTM member Agnes Winokur. “As substances become more regulated and difficult to obtain, the structures of the drugs are manipulated or chemically changed to create new, non-regulated drugs, which are often just as deadly or even more potent than the original regulated substances.”
According to Winokur, the proposed standard is particularly useful for detecting and identifying illicit street drugs that cannot be differentiated with traditional analytical techniques and that are often encountered in polydrug mixtures.
Winokur notes that the proposed standard will help regulating bodies when they’re evaluating how to assess and document limitations associated with instrumental techniques and methodology. Manufacturers will be able to review the proposed standard to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the use of the technique and methodology employed and to better identify the needs of the forensic practitioner. The proposed standard will also help to encourage manufacturing innovation.
ASTM welcomes participation in the development of its standards. Become a member at www.astm.org/JOIN.
July / August 2025
