10:00 am Pacific/1:00 pm Eastern Thursday, July 23
Cost: $25 SOFT members/$35 non members
Chairs
Amy Patton
Laboratory Director
North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory
Jillian Neifeld
Sr. Staff Scientist
R&D Toxicology, Quest Diagnostics
Abstract
Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are synthetic or modified compounds designed to mimic the effects of traditional drugs of abuse such as cocaine, marijuana, and opioids. Often marketed as “legal highs,” these compounds are frequently altered by manufacturers in an effort to evade government scheduling, routine drug testing, and law enforcement detection. As a result, toxicologists are faced with the ongoing challenge of identifying and incorporating rapidly emerging compounds into analytical testing methods.
The constantly evolving nature of the NPS landscape requires laboratories to continuously monitor drug trends and regularly update analytical methods to avoid missing newly emerging substances. Developing and maintaining effective NPS testing strategies can be especially challenging due to limited reference materials, rapidly changing drug markets, and the broad structural diversity of these compounds.
This webinar will provide practical guidance for laboratories developing new NPS methods as well as those seeking to improve or expand existing testing capabilities. Participants will explore resources available for monitoring regional, national, and international NPS trends. Analytical considerations for NPS testing will also be discussed, including compound selection, method scope, validation challenges, and approaches for maintaining flexible and sustainable testing panels. Lastly, two laboratories will briefly discuss examples of newly emerging NPS compounds encountered in their facilities and the challenges associated with detecting these compounds.
Speakers
Marco Ballotari
Postdoctoral Associate
University of Florida
Stuart Kurtz
Forensic Toxicologist
Axis Forensic Toxicology
Emily Raley
Senior Forensic Scientist, Toxicology
North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory
Elisa Shoff
Senior Toxicologist, Research & Development
Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner
Stephen Trobbiani
Acting Science Leader - Quality, R&D and Education
Forensic Science SA, Attorney-General's Department
Schedule
1:00–1:05 p.m.: Introduction
1:05–1:30 p.m.: Preparing to Chase a Moving Target: Method Development for New Psychoactive Substances - Trobbiani
1:30–2:00 p.m.: Novel Psychoactive Substances: Analytical Considerations for Identifying and Monitoring Emerging Trends - Ballotari
2:00–2:30 p.m.: Process Improvements for NPS: 10 Years of Development - Kurtz
2:30–2:45 p.m.: Break
2:45–3:00 p.m.: Cycholophine Identification in a Suspected Overdose Case - Raley
3:00–3:15 p.m.: Identifying Unknowns in a Low-Resolution Laboratory: Utilizing LC-Ion Trap MSn for the Identification of Newly Identified NPS - Shoff
3:15–3:30 p.m.: Q&A/Closing
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