Development of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and other rapid screening methods for the analysis of 16 'legal high' cathinone derivatives

The prevalence of so-called 'legal high' drugs in forensic science drug casework has increased markedly in recent years. This has given rise to both legal and analytical challenges in the identification of these substances. The requirement for validated, reliable and rapid testing methodologies for these compounds is obvious. This work reports the analysis of sixteen synthesised cathinone derivatives encountered in casework using presumptive testing, thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).