New fingerprint drug screening reveals traces of class A drugs on our fingertips

A novel technique of drug screening that utilizes paper spray mass spectrometry has shown excellent analytical sensitivity to a number of drugs. A study carried out by Dr Melanie Bailey and Dr Catia Costa at the University of Surrey, using this method, found that 13% of non-drug users have traces of heroin, cocaine, or amphetamines on their fingerprints.

“Believe it or not, cocaine is a very common environmental contaminant – it is well known that it is present on many bank notes,” said Dr Melanie Bailey, however they were not expecting such a high prevalence of drugs on the fingerprint samples.

The team found that cocaine and heroin could be transferred via handshakes and could still be detected after hand washing. These findings may sound perturbing since many drug-free participants produced positive results. However, the exceptionally high sensitivity of mass spectrometry allowed for them to discriminate between a “normal” level of environmental contamination and those who had taken the drug by establishing a cut-off point for their measurements. The chemical composition of sweat was examined and metabolites of the drug such as benzoylecgonin and methylecgonine indicate drug use allowing differentiation.

These findings may sound perturbing since many drug-free participants produced positive results

Conventional methods of drug screening involve the use of blood, oral fluid, or urine which are both invasive and undignified. As an alternative, fingerprint samples have been shown to provide a non-invasive and traceable sample matrix.

The emerging technique is revolutionary since it is so easy to use and involves a five-minute fingerprint sample collection following results being produced in 10 minutes. Dr Costa explained that “paper spray mass spectrometry is gaining increasing popularity in forensic circles because it is incredibly sensitive and is very easy to set up a testing system – the units will save laboratories time.” Another advantage over other techniques is that the identity of the subject, as well as their drug use, cannot be faked since it is captured within the sample itself.

It is incredibly sensitive and is very easy to set up a testing system – the units will save laboratories time

Thus, not only is the novel drug screening technique efficient and tamper-evident, it is also practical for many reasons. This technique does not carry any biohazards that are associated with other methods so it is not necessary to have specific preparation facilities or waste facilities. The device used for this test method is portable meaning that drug screening can be carried out in any location; this could prove particularly helpful in spot checks in the military or on the roadside. This method can also play a role in supporting drug rehabilitation as it can be used for fitness or for duty testing in the workplace. On top of that, it may also provide early indications on a cause of death.

Millions of these tests are carried out every year so the potential for use of the intelligent fingerprinting drug screening system is enormous allowing real-time, non-invasive drug testing.