Can detect drug users through fingerprints

According to Eurekalert, scientists at the University of Surrey, UK, have used modern methods of analysis and created a test that can determine whether a person is using drugs or not, even after he I wash my hands thoroughly.

The scientific team described in detail how they used high resolution mass spectrometry to create a way to detect heroin from fingerprints. The new test system can detect heroin, the metabolite 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-AM) and other related substances.

The new test system can detect heroin, the metabolite 6-monoacetylmorphin (6-AM) and other related substances - (Photo: meaww.com).

During the study, researchers took fingerprints from applicants to drug treatment centers for treatment and used cocaine or heroin during the previous 24 hours. Fingerprints were taken from each finger of the right hand, then the participants were asked to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water, and then wear nitrile rubber gloves for a certain amount of time. Then, the scientists took back the fingerprints from the addict. The same process was used to collect samples from 50 people who did not use drugs.

Each such fingerprint contains the compound samples that person was exposed to. Even after short contact, drug molecules can still exist in fingerprints, to one degree or another, not washed even after hand washing. By collecting these substances from fingerprints and analyzing them, the researchers were able to identify the molecular composition of different drugs due to varying degrees of drug use.

The researchers found that the technology could detect traces of heroin and the metabolite 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-AM) not only in the hands of drug addicts, but also in drug processors or people touching drugs or shaking hands with an addict. In addition, scientists were able to distinguish the quality of drugs used by addicts. They discovered that when heroin or lower quality cocaine was used, traces of compounds like morphine, noscapine and acetylcodeine were also found on the hands.

Scientists believe that their achievements will make society safer and quickly identify drug addicts to help them. The authors of the test also proposed that their technology would be applied in other areas, such as to confirm whether the patient was taking medication or not.