In 2026, Axis Forensic Toxicology marks ten years as Axis. To recognize that milestone, we are proud to introduce our anniversary theme: A Decade of Clarity. This theme reflects more than time passed. It reflects ten years of building, evolving, and investing in the...
By Kevin G. Shanks, D-ABFT-FT The term designer opioid generally refers to the class of synthetically derived opioid analogs that are intentionally modified by clandestine chemists to circumvent existing drug laws while maintaining opioid receptor activity. This...
We’re pleased to inform you that effective April 20th, 2026, Axis will be updating our Comprehensive Panel with Analyte Assurance™ and offering a new Orphine Analog Panel. What is Changing? For orders placed on or after April 20th, 2026, the 70510 Comprehensive Panel,...
Axis is fortunate to have strong university science programs within the state of Indiana to supply forensic scientists to work in its laboratory. Axis maintains a particularly strong relationship with the Forensic and Investigative Sciences (FIS) program at Indiana...
Axis toxicologists Laureen Marinetti, PhD, F-ABFT, and Stuart Kurtz, M.S, D-ABFT-FT, will be presenting at the Midwest Association of Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (MATT) Annual Meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 18-20, 2026. Their presentation topics...
By Kevin G. Shanks, M.S., D-ABFT-FT Axis Forensic Toxicology prides itself in its ability and willingness to provide continuing education and training for our forensic toxicology clients. One of these educational avenues is the Axis forensic medicine fellow training...
By Laureen J. Marinetti, PhD, F-ABFT BTMPS (Bis[2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl] sebacate), brand name Tinuvin®770, is commonly used in the manufacture of plastics as a UV-stabilizing additive to prevent degradation from sunlight and weather exposure. BTMPS was first...
By Kevin Shanks, D-ABFT-FT Stimulants come and go. New ones arrive on the illicit drug market all the time. One of the newest stimulants to be identified is MDPHP, also known as 3′,4′-Methylenedioxy-α-pyrrolidinohexiophenone. It is a substituted cathinone, a class of...
By Stuart Kurtz, D-ABFT-FT Drug Primer: Diphenidine 1-(1,2-diphenylethyl)piperidine, commonly known as diphenidine, is part of the 1,2-diarylethylamine class. This class includes drugs such as phencyclidine (PCP), 3-methoxyphencyclidine (3-MeO-PCP), and...