DFS Toxicology Subcommittee approves four validation plans for novel substances and methods

The Department of Forensic Science Toxicology Subcommittee voted to approve four laboratory validation plans during a virtual meeting where members reviewed technical details and testing thresholds for each protocol.

The committee approved: (1) adding selected novel psychoactive substances (NPS) into the existing amphetamines, phentermine and designer-stimulants LC–MS/MS quantitation and confirmation method; (2) validating volatile compound quantitation and confirmation by headspace, dual-column GC–FID (an NIJ grant project testing hydrogen carrier gas and multiple vial/dilution configurations); (3) using a circulating bath to freeze samples during the liquid–liquid extraction for the amphetamines/phentermine/designer-stimulants method; and (4) adding seven novel benzodiazepines to the existing benzodiazepine liquid–liquid extraction method.

Why it matters: The approvals authorize laboratory experiments and full validations that could expand the forensic toxicology laboratory’s ability to detect newer synthetic stimulants and benzodiazepines and refine procedures for volatile compounds. Committee members discussed limits of detection, matrix effects and stability concerns that will shape final reporting limits and method parameters.

Overview of plans and committee discussion

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) Laboratory staff presented a validation plan to incorporate research chemicals and newly available certified reference materials and internal standards into the…