Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology Junior Research Group Medicinal Chemistry
Development of forensic techniques: detection of new psychoactive substances and extension of the detection period for drug abuse
Dr. Tom Richard Sundermann's group is dedicated to the forensic investigation of new psychoactive substances and the development of methods for the identification and detection of synthetic cocaine derivatives. In addition, the focus is on the identification of new biomarkers for gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in order to extend the detection times for drug abuse in connection with sexual assault. The group's work aims to assess the quality of products sold, uncover production methods in illicit drug laboratories and enable the detection of substance use in biological samples to support criminal investigations and improve forensic practice.
Research Topics
The group conducts forensic investigations into new psychoactive substances that are currently being marketed on various websites as legal alternatives to controlled drugs. These substances, which are offered as herbal mixtures, bath salts or "research chemicals", appear every year in new variants that have often not been systematically investigated. There is a lack of specific identification methods to prove the consumption of these substances by means of forensic toxicological analyses.
Another focus of research is on the forensic chemical and toxicological examination of synthetic cocaine derivatives such as Troparil, Dichloropan and RTI-55, which are also sold over the Internet as legal alternatives to cocaine. These substances have not yet been systematically researched, which is why the group is developing and validating methods for assessing product quality, identifying production methods in illegal drug laboratories and detecting consumption in biological samples.
Furthermore, the group focuses on the search for new biomarkers for gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), especially in the context of drug abuse in sexual assault. The detection of tampering with GHB is often difficult as the time window for the detection of this substance in serum is only 8 hours and in urine 12 hours. The identification of new biomarkers is crucial to extend detection times and provide better legal and medical support to victims of drug abuse.