Designer drugs added to trace detection software

FLIR Systems has expanded the drug target library for the Griffin 824 Trace Detection Mass Spectrometer to include common ‘designer drugs’ found in bath salts and herbal incense (K2/Spice) products, in addition to existing illegal drugs.

Between 2009 and 2012, the global number of reported new psychoactive substances (NPS) rose more than 66 per cent. Designer drugs such as synthetic cannabinoids (K2/Spice) and synthetic cathinones (bath salts) present a unique challenge to the military, first response, law enforcement and forensic science communities. The newest drugs have intentional chemical modifications that eliminate known molecular signatures, preventing identification and regulation.

Its capacity for adding new threats and expanding the target library is well-suited for a variety of security screening and law enforcement operations, where the mission is to identify and counter the sustained and emerging threat posed by the use, manufacture and distribution of illicit and designer drugs.

“Clandestine drug labs continue to use new materials that are difficult for law enforcement personnel to detect with accuracy,” said Bill Sundermeier, president of FLIR Government Systems. “By combining next-generation mass spectrometry technology with expandable target libraries, we are able to eliminate false alarms and assert operator confidence.”

FLIR mass spectrometer products are currently deployed by forensic crime labs, law enforcement agencies, criminal justice sectors, incident response teams, military organisations and event security crews around the world.