Detection of Illicit Drugs using Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Rapid identification of drugs of abuse in different types of forensic evidences, including bulk street drugs as well as traces found in drinks, on fibers/clothing, in fingerprints, on fingernails, on bank notes, in body fluids etc., is of critical importance.Current forensic methods involved in identification and quantification of illicit drugs are destructive and slow, making it difficult for them to be used for rapid on-site analysis. Surface enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) offers distinct advantages to various law-enforcement agencies, working in the security field, as it provides rapid, sensitive, accurate and non-destructive technique for the identification and quantification of a variety of drug types. This review summarizes techniques for detection of contraband drugs, difficulties associated with them and discusses the future direction of research in this field.