Experimental new test fingers cocaine culprits 

News

A new testing method has been devised that uses a person’s fingerprint to detect whether or not they have recently taken cocaine. 

cocaine

The fingerprint test uses high resolution mass spectrometry to search for the presence of benzoylecgonine, a molecule produced in the body when cocaine is ingested. By testing for this metabolite rather than for cocaine itself, the method can distinguish between people who have simply handled the class A drug and those who have actually consumed it. The research, published in Scientific Reports, was carried out by Surrey University, Forensic Science Ireland, National Physical Laboratory and Intelligent Fingerprinting. 

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"A fingerprint is a great way to test for drugs as it is so quick and efficient to collect,” said Dr Min Jang, from Surrey’s Department of Chemistry. “Using our methodology, it is possible to analyse a fingerprint sample for drugs in less than 2 minutes."

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