Narco Polo A new 20-minute method homes in on traces of illegal drugs Joanna Cummings | 01/25/2017











Chemists in toxicology labs are always looking for ways to improve detection of illegal drugs – especially as lengthy sample preparation procedures often cause delays that can compromise the analysis. In a recent paper (1) – and in collaboration with Waters Corporation – the Botch-Jones research group at Boston University School of Medicine slashed the time it takes to analyze illicit substances. “In forensic toxicology, we are challenged with providing comprehensive analytical testing as efficiently as possible,” says group leader Sabra Botch-Jones. “For this research we wanted to reduce the amount of time required to prepare samples without sacrificing analytical sensitivity.” And the time saved was indeed significant – illegal drugs were identified in urine samples in fewer than 20 minutes, compared to traditional techniques that can take hours for sample preparation prior to analysis.

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About the Author

Joanna Cummings

A former library manager and storyteller, I have wanted to write for magazines since I was six years old, when I used to make my own out of foolscap paper and sellotape and distribute them to my family. Since getting my MSc in Publishing, I’ve worked as a freelance writer and content creator for both digital and print, writing on subjects such as fashion, food, tourism, photography – and the history of Roman toilets. Now I can be found working on The Analytical Scientist, finding the ‘human angle’ to cutting-edge science stories.