Detection of anabolic-androgenic steroids in ecigarettes seized from prisons:A case study

The administration of new psychoactive substances (NPS), in particular synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs), via e-cigarettes, within prison settings has been well publicized. This study provides an overview of five e-cigarette case samples seized from Scottish prisons between May 2022 and July 2023 where the anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) mestanolone and oxandrolone were identified following gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. These e-cigarette samples represented 2.9% of all samples containing e-cigarette cartridges (n = 170) and 9.4% of all samples found to contain AASs (n = 53) seized during the same time period. The AASs were detected in combination with other drugs, including cocaine, Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9-THC), SCRAs and nicotine. This represents a new and novel route of administration for AASs.</p

Detection of anabolic-androgenic steroids in ecigarettes seized from prisons:A case study

The administration of new psychoactive substances (NPS), in particular synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs), via e-cigarettes, within prison settings has been well publicized. This study provides an overview of five e-cigarette case samples seized from Scottish prisons between May 2022 and July 2023 where the anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) mestanolone and oxandrolone were identified following gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. These e-cigarette samples represented 2.9% of all samples containing e-cigarette cartridges (n = 170) and 9.4% of all samples found to contain AASs (n = 53) seized during the same time period. The AASs were detected in combination with other drugs, including cocaine, Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9-THC), SCRAs and nicotine. This represents a new and novel route of administration for AASs.</p

Changing trends in anabolic-androgenic steroid use within Scottish prisons:Detection, prevalence, and quantitation

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) are a subclassification of image performance enhancing drugs (IPEDs). While AAS use is most prevalent among people in athletics, there is also high lifetime prevalence of AAS use among prisoners. This study reports the qualitative detection of AASs in seized samples from the Scottish prisons from 2019-2023. Additionally, methods were developed for the quantitative analysis of AASs using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and applied to 61 samples of tablets or powders seized from Scottish prisons between July 2022 and July 2023. Since 2022 there has been an increase in AAS detections in the Scottish prisons. Oxymetholone was the most prevalent AAS, followed by metandienone (methandrostenolone, methandienone), methyltestosterone, oxandrolone, mestanolone (methylandrostanolone), stanozolol, and androstenedione. Multiple AASs were found in 23 samples and 10 samples contained other drugs, including amitriptyline, sertraline, zopiclone, mirtazapine, sildenafil, etizolam, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, and the synthetic cannabinoid MDMB-INACA. Most AAS samples were tablets (77.0%), although they were also detected in powders, herbal material, e-cigarettes, and a fragmented soap bar-type sample. There was a large variation in the concentration of AASs in the tablets and powders seized from the Scottish prisons, demonstrating AASs are another highly variable component of the polydrug use situation in prisons, the effects of which need to be examined further

Detection of the synthetic cathinone N,N-dimethylpentylone in seized samples from prisons

Drug use is prevalent in prisons with drugs associated with depressant effects found to be moreprevalent than stimulants. Synthetic cathinones (SCats; often sold as “bath salts”, “ecstasy”, “molly”,and “monkey dust”) are the second largest category of new psychoactive substances (NPS) currentlymonitored by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) and arecommonly used as substitutes for regulated stimulants, such as amphetamine, cocaine, and MDMA.N,N-dimethylpentylone (also known as dimethylpentylone, dipentylone, and bk-DMBDP) was detectedfor the first time in the Scottish prisons in seven powder samples seized between January and July 2023.Samples were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), ultra-highperformance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QToF-MS),and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMR). Dimethylpentylone was detected alongside otherdrugs in four samples, including the novel benzodiazepine desalkylgidazepam (bromonordiazepam) andthe synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonists (SCRAs) MDMB-INACA and MDMB-4en-PINACA

Trends and challenges in the use of drugs as forensic evidence:A scientometric approach to map the current literature

The rapid increase in the production and distribution of illicit drugs has led to vast amounts of data being generated through research and other publications, making it difficult to effectively distill and analyze current and emerging trends. The present study used a scientometric approach to identify trends and challenges in the use of drugs as an evidence type in forensic science by examining reference lists available in the INTERPOL IFSMS reports and the citation database Scopus. It has been identified that “new psychoactive substances” is one of the most frequently used keywords by authors, highlighting the swift response by communities to characterize these emerging compounds. However, it was also noted that despite drugs being a global threat, only limited international collaboration was observed between research groups and the majority of the studies are from authors affiliated within the same country. Finally, an argument is made to encourage a more comprehensive approach in aggregating results on drugs for greater transparency and broader distribution of findings

Human metabolism of the semi‐synthetic cannabinoids hexahydrocannabinol, hexahydrocannabiphorol and their acetates using hepatocytes and urine samples

Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), hexahydrocannabiphorol (HHCP) and their acetates, HHC-O and HHCP-O, respectively, are emerging in Europe as alternatives to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This study aimed to elucidate the metabolic pathways of the semi-synthetic cannabinoids HHC, HHCP, HHC-O and HHCP-O from incubation with human hepatocytes. The metabolites of HHC were also identified in authentic urine samples. HHC, HHCP, HHC-O and HHCP-O were incubated with primary human hepatocytes for 1, 3 and 5 h. Authentic urine samples from cases screened positive for cannabis in blood using ELISA but confirmed negative were analysed both non-hydrolysed and hydrolysed for HHC metabolites. Potential metabolites were identified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled to a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (QToF-MS). HHC and HHCP were primarily metabolised through monohydroxylation (monoOH), followed by oxidation to a carboxylic acid metabolite. HHC-O and HHCP-O were rapidly metabolised to HHC and HHCP, respectively. In authentic urine samples, 18 different metabolites were identified, and 99.3% of hydroxylated metabolites were glucuronidated. 11-OH-HHC, 5′OH-HHC and another metabolite with a monoOH on the side chain were the only metabolites present in all 16 urine samples. The metabolism of HHC and HHCP were similar, although the longer alkyl side chain of HHCP (heptyl) led to greater hydroxylation on the side chain than HHC (pentyl). The use of HHC and HHCP can be differentiated from the use of THC and other phytocannabinoids, but the use of the acetate analogues may not be differentiable from their non-acetate analogues.</p

Changing trends in novel benzodiazepine use within Scottish prisons:detection, quantitation, prevalence, and modes of use

Drug use within prisons is increasingly complex and unpredictable. Benzodiazepines are currently one of the most common drugs detected in individuals leaving Scottish prisons; however, understanding illicit benzodiazepine use within prisons and assessing the potential harm to individuals is challenging due to the lack of available analytical data on the substances circulating. Increasingly, materials, such as paper and clothing, infused with novel benzodiazepines have been identified as a smuggling route into Scottish prisons. Methods were developed for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of benzodiazepines using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and applied to 495 seized samples from 11 Scottish prisons, including papers, cards, blotters, powders, tablets, and clothing. Evolution in the benzodiazepines being detected was demonstrated, with etizolam being the most prevalent throughout 2020/2021 following which flubromazepam and bromazolam detections increased. Additionally, significant changes in the smuggling methods and drug formats detected occurred over time following policy changes within prisons. These data represent the first reported widescale etizolam quantitation data and demonstrate high levels of variability across all sample types, most notably within tablets (0.34–2.33 mg per tablet). Additionally, concentration mapping of a whole seized card sample revealed the total concentration of drug present (312.5 mg) and demonstrated variability across the surface of the card (1.16–1.87 mg/cm 2). These data highlight the challenges of consistent dosing for individuals and the high risks of unintentional overdose. Increased understanding of the challenge of such drug smuggling and benzodiazepine use will aid in the development of strategies to reduce supply and mitigate harm.</p