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Forensic Science

Drugs & toxicology

Overview

NIST scientists develop Standard Reference Materials that forensic science laboratories use to validate the accuracy of their identification and quantification of controlled substances. NIST researchers are also developing methods to help investigators detect drugs at crime scenes, in cargo, and at transit hubs, and they are developing tools to identify emerging synthetic and designer drugs.

Featured Content

Forensic Science Drugs and Toxicology Research at NIST

Black background. Photo of a penny. Next to the penny is a tiny amount of a white powder.

Safe, Efficient, Reliable: New Science in the Fight Against Killer Drugs

“A new drug might appear, then three or six months later it’s gone, replaced by something new,” said NIST chemist and program manager Marcela Najarro. “It’s a totally different ballgame than 10 or 15 years ago.”

To help with that issue and others, NIST researchers are giving law enforcement and public health experts new tools to combat fentanyl and other synthetic drugs.

Learn more.

The Research

Projects & Programs

Metrology and Standards for Canine Olfactory Detection of Explosives

Ongoing

As part of a multi-year interagency agreement between the Office of Standards of the Department of Homeland Security and NIST, NIST is developing measurement

Electron Ionization Library Component of the NIST/EPA/NIH Mass Spectral Library and NIST GC Retention Index Database

Ongoing

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed and maintains evaluated libraries of reference data for the identification of chemicals

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